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Senate File 58 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1 relating to students who are pregnant or who recently
2gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education
3governed by the board of regents and community colleges.
4BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 261J.1 Student parents at
2institutions.
31. For the purposes of this section:
4a. “Institution” means an institution of higher education
5governed by the state board of regents or a community college
6established under chapter 260C. “Institution” also includes
7the faculty, staff, and other employees of such institution of
8higher education or community college established under chapter
9260C.
10b. “Reasonable accommodations” includes but is not limited
11to all of the following:
12(1) Taking additional health and safety measures.
13(2) Allowing a student to reschedule tests and assignment
14due dates that are missed for reasons related to the student’s
15pregnancy.
16(3) Allowing a student to take a leave of absence.
17(4) Excusing absences for reasons deemed medically
18necessary due to the pregnancy.
192. An institution shall not require a student enrolled
20in a course of study or research activity to take a leave
21of absence, withdraw from a program, or limit the student’s
22participation in academic activities solely due to pregnancy.
23An institution shall make reasonable accommodations to a
24pregnant student to allow the student to complete a course of
25study or research.
263. a. An institution shall allow a student who is pregnant
27or has recently given birth an additional amount of time to
28take examinations up to the longer of a period consistent with
29the policies of the institution or twelve months from the
30originally scheduled examination date, unless a longer period
31is medically necessary.
32b. An institution shall allow a student who is pregnant
33or has recently given birth an additional amount of time to
34complete a degree or candidacy for a degree up to the longer
35of a period consistent with the policies of the institution
-1-1or twelve months from the date originally scheduled for
2completion, unless a longer period is medically necessary.
34. a. An institution shall allow a student who is pregnant
4or has recently given birth a period of up to twelve months to
5take a leave of absence unless there is a medically necessary
6reason for a longer leave of absence. Following the leave
7of absence, the student shall be allowed to return to the
8student’s program with the same standing as the student left to
9the degree reasonably possible.
10b. If a student who is residing in student housing through
11the institution elects to take a leave of absence pursuant to
12paragraph “a”, the institution shall allow the student to reside
13in student housing during the student’s leave of absence.
145. a. The attorney general shall maintain a system to
15receive and investigate complaints from students alleging a
16violation of this section.
17b. The attorney general shall forward complaints it
18has determined as founded to the United States department
19of education’s office for civil rights to allow for an
20investigation into the institution’s compliance with the
21federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C.
22§1681 et seq.
236. An institution shall do all of the following:
24a. Maintain a written policy for students on pregnancy
25discrimination and procedures for addressing pregnancy
26discrimination complaints under this section and the federal
27Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et
28seq. The institution shall provide a copy of the policy to
29institution faculty, staff, and employees in required training.
30The institution shall provide a copy of the policy to all
31students attending orientation at the institution.
32b. Prominently post notice of the protections afforded to
33pregnant students and students who have recently given birth
34under the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20
35U.S.C. §1681 et seq., on the institution’s internet site.
-2- 1c. Provide information concerning the protections afforded
2to pregnant students and students who have recently given birth
3under the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20
4U.S.C. §1681 et seq., through the institution’s medical center
5and student health center to a student upon the student’s
6request and when otherwise appropriate.
7d. Assign responsibility for pregnancy and parenting support
8and protection to a staff member of the institution. The
9institution shall post the responsible staff member’s name,
10title, and contact information on the institution’s internet
11site. Responsibilities assigned to a staff member pursuant to
12this paragraph shall include but not be limited to:
13(1) Maintaining current knowledge of the provisions of this
14section.
15(2) Overseeing institution compliance with this section.
16(3) Understanding and publicizing topics related to
17pregnancy and parenting, including but not limited to child
18care availability, breastfeeding accommodations, and pregnancy
19and parenting assistance from public and private providers, in
20order to enhance campus life and academic performance.
21EXPLANATION
22The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
23the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
24This bill relates to students who are pregnant or who
25recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher
26education governed by the board of regents.
27The bill defines the term “institution” as an institution of
28higher education governed by the state board of regents or a
29community college. “Institution” also includes the faculty,
30staff, and other employees of such institution of higher
31education or community college.
32The bill defines “reasonable accommodations” as including
33but not being limited to taking additional health and safety
34measures; allowing a student to reschedule tests and assignment
35due dates that are missed for reasons related to the student’s
-3-1pregnancy; allowing a student to take a leave of absence; and
2excusing absences for reasons deemed medically necessary due
3to the pregnancy.
4The bill prohibits an institution from requiring a student
5enrolled in a course of study or research activity to take
6a leave of absence, withdraw from a program, or limit the
7student’s participation in academic activities solely due to
8pregnancy.
9The bill requires an institution to make reasonable
10accommodations to a pregnant student to allow the student to
11complete a course of study or research.
12The bill requires an institution to allow a student who is
13pregnant or has recently given birth an additional amount of
14time to take examinations, complete a degree, or complete a
15candidacy for a degree up to the longer of a period consistent
16with the policies of the institution or 12 months from the date
17originally scheduled for examination or completion, unless a
18longer period is medically necessary.
19The bill requires an institution to allow a student who
20is pregnant or has recently given birth a period of up to 12
21months to take a leave of absence unless there is a medically
22necessary reason for a longer leave of absence. Following the
23leave of absence, the student shall be allowed to return to
24the student’s program with the same standing and manner as the
25student left to the degree reasonably possible.
26The bill allows a student who is residing in student housing
27through the institution that elects to take a leave of absence
28due to pregnancy or recent birth to reside in student housing
29during the student’s leave of absence.
30The bill requires the state attorney general to maintain
31a system to receive and investigate complaints from students
32alleging a violation relating to pregnancy and recent birth
33accommodations.
34The bill requires the attorney general to forward complaints
35it has determined as founded to the United States department
-4-1of education’s office for civil rights to allow for an
2investigation into the institution’s compliance with the
3federal Higher Education Act of 1965.
4The bill requires an institution to maintain a written
5policy for students on pregnancy discrimination and procedures
6for addressing pregnancy discrimination complaints under this
7Code section and the federal Higher Education Act of 1965. The
8institution must provide a copy of the policy to institution
9faculty, staff, and employees in required training and to all
10students attending orientation at the institution.
11The bill requires an institution to prominently post
12notice of the protections afforded to pregnant students and
13students who have recently given birth under the federal Higher
14Education Act of 1965 on the institution’s internet site.
15The bill requires an institution to provide information
16concerning the protections afforded to pregnant students and
17students who have recently given birth under the federal
18Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et
19seq., through the institution’s medical center and student
20health center to a student upon the student’s request and when
21otherwise appropriate.
22The bill requires an institution to assign responsibility
23for pregnancy and parenting support and protection to a staff
24member of the institution. The institution must post the
25responsible person’s name, title, and contact information
26on the institution’s internet site. The responsibilities
27assigned to the staff member include but are not limited to
28maintaining current knowledge of Code provisions relating to
29accommodations afforded to pregnant students and students
30who recently gave birth; overseeing institution compliance
31with Code provisions relating to accommodations afforded to
32pregnant students and students who recently gave birth; and
33understanding and publicizing topics related to pregnancy
34and parenting, including but not limited to child care
35availability, breastfeeding accommodations, and pregnancy and
-5-1parenting assistance from public and private providers, in
2order to enhance campus life and academic performance.
-6-dg/jh
2gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education
3governed by the board of regents and community colleges.
4BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. NEW SECTION. 261J.1 Student parents at
2institutions.
31. For the purposes of this section:
4a. “Institution” means an institution of higher education
5governed by the state board of regents or a community college
6established under chapter 260C. “Institution” also includes
7the faculty, staff, and other employees of such institution of
8higher education or community college established under chapter
9260C.
10b. “Reasonable accommodations” includes but is not limited
11to all of the following:
12(1) Taking additional health and safety measures.
13(2) Allowing a student to reschedule tests and assignment
14due dates that are missed for reasons related to the student’s
15pregnancy.
16(3) Allowing a student to take a leave of absence.
17(4) Excusing absences for reasons deemed medically
18necessary due to the pregnancy.
192. An institution shall not require a student enrolled
20in a course of study or research activity to take a leave
21of absence, withdraw from a program, or limit the student’s
22participation in academic activities solely due to pregnancy.
23An institution shall make reasonable accommodations to a
24pregnant student to allow the student to complete a course of
25study or research.
263. a. An institution shall allow a student who is pregnant
27or has recently given birth an additional amount of time to
28take examinations up to the longer of a period consistent with
29the policies of the institution or twelve months from the
30originally scheduled examination date, unless a longer period
31is medically necessary.
32b. An institution shall allow a student who is pregnant
33or has recently given birth an additional amount of time to
34complete a degree or candidacy for a degree up to the longer
35of a period consistent with the policies of the institution
-1-1or twelve months from the date originally scheduled for
2completion, unless a longer period is medically necessary.
34. a. An institution shall allow a student who is pregnant
4or has recently given birth a period of up to twelve months to
5take a leave of absence unless there is a medically necessary
6reason for a longer leave of absence. Following the leave
7of absence, the student shall be allowed to return to the
8student’s program with the same standing as the student left to
9the degree reasonably possible.
10b. If a student who is residing in student housing through
11the institution elects to take a leave of absence pursuant to
12paragraph “a”, the institution shall allow the student to reside
13in student housing during the student’s leave of absence.
145. a. The attorney general shall maintain a system to
15receive and investigate complaints from students alleging a
16violation of this section.
17b. The attorney general shall forward complaints it
18has determined as founded to the United States department
19of education’s office for civil rights to allow for an
20investigation into the institution’s compliance with the
21federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C.
22§1681 et seq.
236. An institution shall do all of the following:
24a. Maintain a written policy for students on pregnancy
25discrimination and procedures for addressing pregnancy
26discrimination complaints under this section and the federal
27Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et
28seq. The institution shall provide a copy of the policy to
29institution faculty, staff, and employees in required training.
30The institution shall provide a copy of the policy to all
31students attending orientation at the institution.
32b. Prominently post notice of the protections afforded to
33pregnant students and students who have recently given birth
34under the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20
35U.S.C. §1681 et seq., on the institution’s internet site.
-2- 1c. Provide information concerning the protections afforded
2to pregnant students and students who have recently given birth
3under the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20
4U.S.C. §1681 et seq., through the institution’s medical center
5and student health center to a student upon the student’s
6request and when otherwise appropriate.
7d. Assign responsibility for pregnancy and parenting support
8and protection to a staff member of the institution. The
9institution shall post the responsible staff member’s name,
10title, and contact information on the institution’s internet
11site. Responsibilities assigned to a staff member pursuant to
12this paragraph shall include but not be limited to:
13(1) Maintaining current knowledge of the provisions of this
14section.
15(2) Overseeing institution compliance with this section.
16(3) Understanding and publicizing topics related to
17pregnancy and parenting, including but not limited to child
18care availability, breastfeeding accommodations, and pregnancy
19and parenting assistance from public and private providers, in
20order to enhance campus life and academic performance.
21EXPLANATION
22The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
23the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
24This bill relates to students who are pregnant or who
25recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher
26education governed by the board of regents.
27The bill defines the term “institution” as an institution of
28higher education governed by the state board of regents or a
29community college. “Institution” also includes the faculty,
30staff, and other employees of such institution of higher
31education or community college.
32The bill defines “reasonable accommodations” as including
33but not being limited to taking additional health and safety
34measures; allowing a student to reschedule tests and assignment
35due dates that are missed for reasons related to the student’s
-3-1pregnancy; allowing a student to take a leave of absence; and
2excusing absences for reasons deemed medically necessary due
3to the pregnancy.
4The bill prohibits an institution from requiring a student
5enrolled in a course of study or research activity to take
6a leave of absence, withdraw from a program, or limit the
7student’s participation in academic activities solely due to
8pregnancy.
9The bill requires an institution to make reasonable
10accommodations to a pregnant student to allow the student to
11complete a course of study or research.
12The bill requires an institution to allow a student who is
13pregnant or has recently given birth an additional amount of
14time to take examinations, complete a degree, or complete a
15candidacy for a degree up to the longer of a period consistent
16with the policies of the institution or 12 months from the date
17originally scheduled for examination or completion, unless a
18longer period is medically necessary.
19The bill requires an institution to allow a student who
20is pregnant or has recently given birth a period of up to 12
21months to take a leave of absence unless there is a medically
22necessary reason for a longer leave of absence. Following the
23leave of absence, the student shall be allowed to return to
24the student’s program with the same standing and manner as the
25student left to the degree reasonably possible.
26The bill allows a student who is residing in student housing
27through the institution that elects to take a leave of absence
28due to pregnancy or recent birth to reside in student housing
29during the student’s leave of absence.
30The bill requires the state attorney general to maintain
31a system to receive and investigate complaints from students
32alleging a violation relating to pregnancy and recent birth
33accommodations.
34The bill requires the attorney general to forward complaints
35it has determined as founded to the United States department
-4-1of education’s office for civil rights to allow for an
2investigation into the institution’s compliance with the
3federal Higher Education Act of 1965.
4The bill requires an institution to maintain a written
5policy for students on pregnancy discrimination and procedures
6for addressing pregnancy discrimination complaints under this
7Code section and the federal Higher Education Act of 1965. The
8institution must provide a copy of the policy to institution
9faculty, staff, and employees in required training and to all
10students attending orientation at the institution.
11The bill requires an institution to prominently post
12notice of the protections afforded to pregnant students and
13students who have recently given birth under the federal Higher
14Education Act of 1965 on the institution’s internet site.
15The bill requires an institution to provide information
16concerning the protections afforded to pregnant students and
17students who have recently given birth under the federal
18Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et
19seq., through the institution’s medical center and student
20health center to a student upon the student’s request and when
21otherwise appropriate.
22The bill requires an institution to assign responsibility
23for pregnancy and parenting support and protection to a staff
24member of the institution. The institution must post the
25responsible person’s name, title, and contact information
26on the institution’s internet site. The responsibilities
27assigned to the staff member include but are not limited to
28maintaining current knowledge of Code provisions relating to
29accommodations afforded to pregnant students and students
30who recently gave birth; overseeing institution compliance
31with Code provisions relating to accommodations afforded to
32pregnant students and students who recently gave birth; and
33understanding and publicizing topics related to pregnancy
34and parenting, including but not limited to child care
35availability, breastfeeding accommodations, and pregnancy and
-5-1parenting assistance from public and private providers, in
2order to enhance campus life and academic performance.
-6-dg/jh