Since 1978, Federal law has forbidden discrimination against expectant mothers, either on the job or in hiring.

It forbids discrimination against women in places of "public accommodation."

Medicare rules forbid overt discrimination against people in poor health.

An act of 1975 forbids discrimination against anyone on the ground of race.

It forbids discrimination against women in courses of study financed by the federal government.

Laws to forbid such discrimination are not yet fully in place.