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10/31/2025
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Op-Ed: By championing women’s health, RI leads the way on menopause protections in the workplace
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By Rep. Karen Alzate
Women’s health is often talked about, but too rarely acted upon. For too long, issues that deeply affect women’s daily lives have been overlooked, minimized, or left out of policy conversations entirely. As women, we carry the responsibility of nurturing families, communities and workplaces, yet our unique health needs are often treated as afterthoughts.
That’s why I was proud to sponsor the first-of-its-kind legislation in Rhode Island to protect and support women experiencing menopause in the workplace. On June 24, 2025, the legislation (2025-H 6161, 2025-S 0361) was signed into law. It amends the state’s Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) to explicitly include menopause and menopause-related conditions under workplace protections.
The legislation recognizes that menopause is a natural stage of life — not a condition to be hidden or stigmatized — and that women deserve understanding, flexibility, and support during this transition. It requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for menopause, or related conditions, unless doing so imposes an undue hardship. Examples include modified schedules, access to cooler workspaces or rest areas, flexible breaks, and more.
By addressing menopause openly, we are taking a stand for health equity, gender justice, and respect. This new law is about more than physical comfort; it’s about ensuring that women can continue to thrive professionally without shame or silence.
Rhode Island has always been a leader in breaking new ground, and I’m proud that we’re leading again—this time, for women’s health and workplace equality.
Rep. Karen Alzate, a Democrat, represents District 60 in Pawtucket and Central Falls.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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