Committee advances bill to explicitly protect menopause-related conditions under FEHA

Assemblymember Calderon told the committee AB 1940 would update the Fair Employment and Housing Act to explicitly cover perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause, aiming to reduce discrimination and improve access to reasonable accommodations for affected workers.

"Menopause can bring a wide variety of symptoms, including physical, emotional and cognitive changes," the author said, arguing that existing workplace norms often ignore those needs and that explicit statutory protections would promote retention and economic equity.

Alex Zuko, policy director for the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and Dr. Amy Day, founder and clinic director of the Women's Vitality Center, testified in support, describing patient stories and research that link menopausal symptoms to workplace performance and attrition. Dr. Day told the committee about patients experiencing cognitive symptoms and heavy bleeding that interfered with job performance and asked that workers be informed of rights and accommodations.

Business groups including the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Restaurant Association expressed support for the bill's goals but raised concerns about expanding protected classifications within FEHA and potential litigation or compliance complexity. They urged pursuing amendments or relying on existing reasonable-accommodation and disability frameworks.

Members discussed working with stakeholders on possible clarifying language. The committee passed AB 1940 and referred it to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.