By Tim Jimenez

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — US Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) was in Philadelphia today, previewing legislation that he says would improve laws protecting pregnant women in the workplace from discrimination.

Casey said he will introduce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act sometime next week.  Today, he joined advocates at the offices of the Maternity Care Coalition, in the city’s Fairmount section, to tout possible benefits for women such as Linda, whose was story told by Gaynell Gillespie of the coalition.

Gillespie says Linda was working at a catering company when she became pregnant.

“Not only was her promotion put on permanent hold, but her employer cut back her hours and never made plans for her to come back to work,” Gillespie said.

According to Dr. Charmaine Wright, at the University of Pennsylvania school of medicine, the proposed legislation would build on existing laws, helping those like Linda.

“For those who need job modifications, who need a voice, who might be silent if modifications are not done during the time of pregnancy, this act speaks for them,” she said.

Casey says he’s optimistic the proposal could get bipartisan support, despite possible attacks from Republicans as being another regulation.