State Rep. Ya Liu put forward a new bill in the North Carolina House designed to improve workplace protections and accommodations for pregnant employees and individuals with related medical needs, as noted by the North Carolina State House.
Filed as HB 1206 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, the bill carries the short title: ‘Pregnant Workers Fairness Act/Funds.’
The summary below draws from the actual bill text, offering clarifications for its key sections.
In summary, the bill proposes the North Carolina Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. It instructs employers with 15 or more staff, including state and local government agencies, to provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations tied to pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions unless those accommodations would impose an undue hardship. It prevents employers from requiring leave if another reasonable option exists, refusing job opportunities or penalizing someone who makes an accommodation request, and prohibits retaliation or intimidation linked to asserting rights. The bill would provide a private right of action covering injunctive relief, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney fees. A three-year statute of limitations is specified. Each government branch is responsible for rulemaking and internal policies, while $600,000 from the General Fund would be allocated with an effective date of July 1, 2026.
Among the three sponsors of the bill, Phil Rubin introduced the most bills during the 2025 regular session with 38 proposals.
Bills in North Carolina must pass through multiple steps before becoming law. A legislator begins by filing a bill, which is then referred to a committee. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If one chamber amends a bill after the other has passed it, both must reach agreement on the final language. Once the same bill passes both chambers, it is sent to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 days if the legislature has adjourned) to sign, veto, or allow it to become law by taking no action.
Further details on this and other legislative measures are available here.
Liu holds a law degree (JD) from North Carolina Central University.
A Democrat, Liu was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023, representing the 21st House district and succeeding Raymond Smith Jr..
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ya Liu, Laura Budd, and Phil Rubin | HB 1206 | 04/30/2026 | Pregnant Workers Fairness Act/Funds. |
| Ya Liu, Bill Ward, Frank Iler, and Joseph Pike | HB 1174 | 04/30/2026 | HOA Oversight Act. |
| Ya Liu, Donny Lambeth, Larry W. Potts, and Sarah Crawford | HB 1193 | 04/30/2026 | Rep. Mike Clampitt Bone Marrow Donation Act. |
| Ya Liu and Tim Longest | HB 1211 | 04/30/2026 | Home Equity Investment Loan Act. |
| Ya Liu and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1212 | 04/30/2026 | HOA Accessory Limitation Ban. |
| Ya Liu, Beth Helfrich, Mike Colvin, and Zack Hawkins | HB 951 | 04/10/2025 | SOS (State Owned Structures) Child Care Act. |
| Ya Liu, Frank Iler, and Laura Budd | HB 993 | 04/10/2025 | HOA Organization and Reporting Act. |
| Ya Liu, Carolyn G. Logan, Julia Greenfield, and Julie von Haefen | HB 856 | 04/09/2025 | Clarify Deed Restrictions/Solar Collectors. |
| Ya Liu, Edward C. Goodwin, Jarrod Lowery, and Maria Cervania | HB 835 | 04/08/2025 | Learning AAPI Contributions in Schools. |
| Ya Liu, Edward C. Goodwin, and Maria Cervania | HB 704 | 04/02/2025 | Establish AAPI Heritage Commission. |
| Ya Liu, Allen Buansi, Amos L. Quick, III, and Cecil Brockman | HB 713 | 04/02/2025 | Universal Free Breakfast and Lunch. |
| Ya Liu, Brian Turner, Jordan Lopez, and Maria Cervania | HB 730 | 04/02/2025 | Comprehensive State Communications. |
| Ya Liu, Brenden H. Jones, Julia C. Howard, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 734 | 04/02/2025 | Modernize Debt Settlement Prohibition. |
| Ya Liu, Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, and Sarah Stevens | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Ya Liu and Frank Iler | HB 444 | 03/18/2025 | Homeowners Association Reform Bill. |
| Ya Liu, Ray Pickett, Tricia Ann Cotham, and Zack Hawkins | HB 378 | 03/11/2025 | Leon’s Law (Dual Enrollment Info Parents). |
| Ya Liu, Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 361 | 03/10/2025 | Funds to Fight Deed and Title Fraud. |
| Ya Liu, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Julia C. Howard | HB 187 | 02/24/2025 | Credit Union Update. |
