Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Summary
The Pregnant Students' Rights Act aims to ensure that institutions of higher education provide comprehensive information to pregnant students about their rights, available accommodations, and resources. This includes campus and community resources, accommodations to support carrying the baby to term and parenting, and complaint procedures for Title IX violations related to pregnancy. The bill mandates that this information be disseminated through email, student handbooks, orientations, health centers, and the institution's website.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely increase awareness among pregnant students about their rights and available support systems. It could also lead to improved accommodations and resources on college campuses. The Act clarifies that it does not authorize the Secretary of Education to require dissemination of additional information or establish additional rights beyond what is included in the subsection.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of resources for pregnant students.
- Improved access to accommodations and support services.
- Clearer understanding of rights under Title IX.
- Standardized information dissemination across institutions.
- Potential for reduced discrimination against pregnant students.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential administrative burden for institutions of higher education.
- Possible lack of funding to support the mandated information dissemination.
- Risk of inconsistent implementation across different institutions.
- May not address underlying systemic issues that contribute to challenges faced by pregnant students.
- The Act does not authorize the Secretary to require additional information, which could limit future expansions of support.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the Constitution, as it aims to support the well-being of pregnant students. It also touches on Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which is intended to prevent sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).