AKA, the life and times of the pregnant career woman... chapter 3!

My field is male-dominated. I led an interview today for a public project we were shortlisted for. During the Q&A, the public agency project manager said, "I can't help but notice your condition." He proceeded to ask how my position on the project would be covered during my maternity leave. The purchasing agent chimed in, "I was going to ask that, too." The only other woman in the room, a public agency person, said twice, "You can't ask that." She apologized to me from across the room. But the other two insisted. We handled it professionally on our end and moved on, but were fuming about it afterwards.

Employers can't ask questions about such things in interviews to potential employees, but can public purchasing offices? PDA and FMLA laws protect employees from employers but what about federal, state, county or city purchasing departments who are hiring and vetting and interviewing consultants?