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SB 353

AN ACT CONCERNING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE FOR CONDITIONS RELATED TO MENOPAUSE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kai Belton and 10 co-sponsors

Connecticut bill mandates employers provide reasonable workplace accommodations for menopause-related conditions affecting female employees' job performance and health.

FILE NO. 355
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Bill Summary · SB 353

Legislative bill overview

SB 353 would require Connecticut employers to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees experiencing menopause-related conditions, similar to existing protections for pregnancy and other medical conditions. The bill addresses symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and cognitive changes that can impact job performance and attendance.

Why is this important

Menopause affects approximately 1 million Connecticut women during their working years, yet currently receives no explicit legal accommodation protections. Lack of accommodations can force women into reduced work hours, job changes, or early retirement, creating economic consequences for both workers and employers. This bill recognizes menopause as a legitimate health condition warranting workplace support.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer compliance costs: Small businesses may face expenses implementing individualized accommodations, flexible scheduling, temperature controls, or modified work arrangements without clear cost-sharing guidelines
  • Definitional ambiguity: The bill may need clearer standards for what constitutes "reasonable" accommodations and how severe symptoms must be to qualify, potentially leading to inconsistent application
  • Privacy and disclosure concerns: Requiring employees to disclose menopause status to employers raises questions about medical privacy, potential discrimination, and whether employers will stigmatize affected workers
  • Medical documentation burden: Unclear whether employers can require physician verification of menopause-related conditions, which could create barriers for employees seeking accommodations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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