Alaska Alaska prohibits discrimination based on parenthood when the reasonable demands of the position do not require a distinction on the basis of parenthood. "Employee" means an individual employed by an employer but does not include an individual employed in the domestic service of any person. "Employer" means a person, including the state and a political subdivision of the state, who has one or more employees in the state but does not include a club that is exclusively social, or a fraternal, charitable, educational, or religious association or corporation, if the club, association, or corporation is not organized for private profit. See the state’s law for more information. Delaware Delaware law prohibits discrimination based on family responsibilities. “Family responsibilities” means the obligations of an employee to care for any family member who would qualify as a covered family member under the Family and Medical Leave Act. See workplacefairness.org for more information on the Family Medical Leave Act. “Employee” means an individual employed by an employer, but does not include: Any individual employed in agriculture or in the domestic service of any person, Any individual who, as a part of that individual’s employment, resides in the personal residence of the employer, Any individual employed by said individual’s parents, spouse or child, or Any individual elected to public office in the State or political subdivision by the qualified voters thereof, or any person chosen by such officer to be on such officer’s personal staff, or an appointee on the policy making level or an immediate advisor with respect to the exercise of the constitutional or legal powers of the office. The exemption set forth in the preceding sentence shall not include employees subject to the merit service rules or civil service rules of the state government or political subdivision. “Employer” means any person employing four or more employees within the State at the time of the alleged violation, including the State or any political subdivision or board, department, commission or school district thereof. See the law for more information.  District of Columbia District of Columbia law prohibits discrimination based on family responsibilities. "Family responsibilities" means the state of being, or the potential to become, a contributor to the support of a person or persons in a dependent relationship, irrespective of their number, including the state of being the subject of an order of withholding or similar proceedings for the purpose of paying child support or a debt related to child support. "Employee" means any individual employed by or seeking employment from an employer, provided that the term "employee" shall include an unpaid intern. "Employer" means any person who, for compensation, employs an individual, except for the employer's parent, spouse, children or domestic servants, engaged in work in and about the employer's household; any person acting in the interest of such employer, directly or indirectly; and any professional association. See the law for more information. Maine Maine law prohibits discrimination based on familial status. "Familial status" means a family unit that contains:   One or more individuals who have not attained 18 years of age and are living with a parent or another person having legal custody of the individual or individuals or the designee of the parent or other person having custody with the written permission of the parent or other person; or One or more individuals 18 years of age or older who lack the ability to meet essential requirements for physical health, safety or self-care because the individual or individuals are unable to receive and evaluate information or make or communicate decisions. The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of familial status apply to any person who is pregnant or who is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained 18 years of age.   "Employee" means an individual employed by an employer. "Employee" does not include any individual employed by that individual's parents, spouse or child, except for purposes of disability-related discrimination, in which case the individual is considered to be an employee.   "Employer" includes any person in this State employing any number of employees, whatever the place of employment of the employees, and any person outside this State employing any number of employees whose usual place of employment is in this State; any person acting in the interest of any employer, directly or indirectly, such that the person's actions are considered the actions of the employer for purposes of liability; and labor organizations, whether or not organized on a religious, fraternal or sectarian basis, with respect to their employment of employees. See the law for more information. Minnesota Minnesota law prohibits discrimination based on familial status. "Familial status" means the condition of one or more minors being domiciled with (1) their parent or parents or the minor's legal guardian or (2) the designee of the parent or parents or guardian with the written permission of the parent or parents or guardian. The protections afforded against discrimination on the basis of family status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of an individual who has not attained the age of majority. "Employee" means an individual who is employed by an employer and who resides or works in this state. "Employer" means a person who has one or more employees. See the law for more information. New York New York law prohibits discrimination based on familial status. "Familial status" means: any person who is pregnant or has a child or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of eighteen years, or one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of eighteen years) being domiciled with: (1) a parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals, or (2) the designee of such parent. “Employer” includes all employers within the state. The state of New York is considered an employer. “Employee” does not include individuals employed by a parent, spouse, or child. See the law for more information. See the law for more information. Local Jurisdictions More than 200 local jurisdictions (cities, towns, counties) have laws that prohibit discrimination based on family responsibilities or parental status. These include, for example, San Francisco (protection for status as a caregiver), Atlanta (familial or parental status), Cook County, Illinois (parental status), and Philadelphia (familial status, including caregivers of adults). See the laws for more information.