College Students Get Mandatory Annual Email Detailing Pregnancy Rights, Resources Under New Act

This legislation, titled the “Pregnant Students Rights Act,” is straightforward: it amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities receiving federal student aid to actively inform their students about accommodations and resources available for those who are pregnant or parenting. Think of it as mandatory annual disclosure, making sure students know their rights under existing Title IX protections.

The Annual Rights Reminder

What does this look like in practice? Every academic year, your college will have to send you an email detailing your rights if you become pregnant. This isn’t just a one-off mention in a massive student handbook; the bill mandates the information must be provided in student orientations, posted on the school’s public website, and available at health and counseling centers. The required information list is specific: it must include campus and local community resources, details on available accommodations (like excused absences or changes to housing), and clear instructions on how to file a discrimination complaint with both the school and the U.S. Department of Education.

Title IX, Accommodations, and the Fine Print

This bill essentially sets a compliance framework for institutions to ensure they are meeting their obligations under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination, including discrimination based on pregnancy. For a student juggling classes and a new baby, this means knowing exactly who to talk to for accommodations, such as a temporary lighter course load or the ability to make up missed exams. The clarity is a win for busy students who don’t have the time to hunt down obscure policies.

However, there’s a key detail in the language that’s worth noting. The bill explicitly focuses on providing information to help students “carry a baby to term and care for the baby after birth.” While this is clearly beneficial for students choosing to continue their pregnancy, Title IX covers all pregnancy-related conditions and outcomes. By focusing the mandated disclosure so narrowly, the bill might inadvertently limit the scope of information institutions provide, potentially minimizing the visibility of rights and resources for students who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or choose abortion—all of which are covered under existing Title IX protections. This narrow framing could lead to inconsistent application of support across campuses.

Who Pays and Who Benefits?

The primary beneficiaries are pregnant students who want to continue their education while parenting. The mandated annual communication ensures they aren't left in the dark about crucial support systems. On the flip side, colleges and universities will face a new administrative requirement. While it might seem minor, updating handbooks, ensuring website compliance, and managing annual email distribution across potentially tens of thousands of students adds to the compliance burden, especially for smaller institutions. The bill also includes a strict limitation, stating the Secretary of Education cannot require institutions to disseminate any information or establish any rights beyond what is specifically listed in this section, which keeps the mandate tightly focused on these specific disclosure requirements.