HR6359-119

What This Bill Does

This bill adds a pregnant-student notice requirement to section 485 of the Higher Education Act. Each institution of higher education that participates in federal student-aid programs must carry out information-dissemination activities for prospective and enrolled students, including part-time students, about the rights of and resources for pregnant students carrying a baby to term and students who may become pregnant while enrolled.

The required information includes campus and community resources that can help a pregnant student carry the baby to term and care for the baby after birth, accommodations available to help a pregnant student carry the baby to term and parent after birth, and instructions for filing complaints with the Department of Education or the institution if the student believes discrimination occurred under Title IX because of the student's decision to carry a baby to term. Institutions must send the information by email at least once each academic year and provide it in student handbooks, orientations, student health or counseling centers if they exist, and on the public website.

The bill includes a rule of construction stating that the Secretary of Education cannot use this subsection to require additional information or create additional rights beyond the information and rights listed in the bill.

Who Benefits and How

Pregnant students benefit because colleges must identify resources, accommodations, and complaint pathways before or during pregnancy. Prospective students who may become pregnant benefit because the information must reach applicants and future students, not just currently enrolled full-time students. Student parents benefit from information about accommodations and resources for parenting after birth. Campus health and counseling centers benefit from clearer statutory content to share with students. Department of Education Title IX staff benefit from a clearer notice channel explaining when students can file federal complaints.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Participating colleges and universities must prepare and distribute the required information through annual emails, handbooks, orientations, health or counseling centers, and public websites. Student affairs offices must maintain lists of campus and community resources and accommodation information. Title IX coordinators must explain institutional complaint processes and respond to discrimination complaints related to carrying a baby to term. Department of Education civil-rights staff must handle federal complaints referenced by the notice. Institutional web and communications staff must keep the public website and student materials current.

Key Provisions

• Requires federally participating higher-education institutions to disseminate pregnant-student rights, accommodation, and resource information.
• Requires information on campus and community resources for carrying a baby to term and caring for the baby after birth.
• Requires information on accommodations available during pregnancy and parenting after birth.
• Requires complaint instructions for Department of Education Title IX complaints and institutional discrimination complaints.
• Requires annual student emails plus inclusion in handbooks, orientations, health or counseling centers, and public websites.
• Provides that the Secretary of Education may not require additional information or create additional rights under this subsection.