Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday vetoed legislation wading into the contentious debate over reproductive health rights and religious freedom in the workplace.
Assembly Bill 569 would have prohibited employers from punishing workers who use birth control, get an abortion or make other reproductive health decisions they disagree with.
The measure, by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, D-San Diego, follows the case of Teri James, who in 2012 was allegedly fired from her job at San Diego Christian College for getting pregnant out of wedlock.
But it drew opposition from business groups, including the California Chamber of Commerce, for opening another avenue of potential litigation. Some Catholic and other religious organizations also raised objections that it would infringe upon their freedom to practice their faith as they choose.
Brown, in his veto message, said such denials are already blocked by the state’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing.
Full story at Sacramento Bee.
As a part of the pro-life church, I would hope that no Catholic institution would fire a woman for getting pregnant out of wedlock.
C&H– yes, a baby is PRECIOUS!! But an immoral Catholic employee?? Of course not!! We must take our religion, given to us by Jesus Christ, very seriously!! Want your kids in Catholic schoool, to have an immoral teacher?? How about volunteers, too, for hospital and charity Church work– and lay Eucharistic Ministers and lectors, at Mass? I have friends who were very angry, when a young man in charge of their parish youth group— got a few girls pregnant!! All the parents were terribly angry, and went to see the Pastor— and he fired the young man, as well as others participating in immoral activities, at the parish!! Millions of Catholic parents, COUNT ON OUR CHURCH to do right, by our chidren!!
Very good, Gov. Brown! I think our Church also needs to strongly operate by only Cathlic beliefs, and hire only dedicated Catholics, who wilingly state they are committed to practicing and upholding our Church’s beliefs! Likewise, only clergy and nuns who are committed strongly to our Church’s beliefs, should be allowed in the Church– dissenters should be told they must leave! If our Church would daily operate by Catholic beliefs only, for all the world to see, and to respect— that would greatly help!!