Senator Telo T. Taitague, chairwoman of the Committee on Regulatory Affairs, is championing stronger workplace protections for expecting, adopting, and new mothers through Bill No. 210-38 (COR), which aims to codify and enforce rules under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (Public Law 36-118). The measure was the focus of a public hearing held Wednesday at the Guam Legislature.
The bill establishes complaint procedures, compliance standards, and employer responsibilities for both public and private employers with 15 or more employees. It seeks to ensure that pregnancy-related accommodations—such as modified duties or flexible schedules—are legally enforceable. Senator Taitague also proposed expanding the measure to include one hour of paid lactation breaks per day for up to 12 months after maternity leave and extending modified workplace accommodations to employees who have adopted or fostered a child under age five.
Officials from the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL) expressed support for these additions, noting they would strengthen enforcement authority and align Guam’s standards with federal protections. The bill also drew strong backing from women’s advocates and employers. Jayne Flores, Director of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, called pregnancy “a natural and essential state of life,” while Lorraine Okada, president of Okada Managing Consulting Services, praised the bill for providing “legal clarity for employers” and ensuring "women’s health and economic security.”
“Healthy mothers and secure families strengthen Guam’s entire workforce and community,” Senator Taitague said. “ Every expecting, adopting, or fostering mother deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and should never have to choose between keeping a job and caring for a child.” The committee will continue working with GDOL to finalize the legislation for action in the 38th Guam Legislature.