The "Student-Parent Protection Act" aims to enhance the rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education in New Jersey. The bill amends existing law to prohibit institutions from requiring students to take a leave of absence or withdraw from their programs solely due to parenting, pregnancy, or pregnancy-related issues. It mandates that institutions provide reasonable accommodations for parenting or pregnant students, which include making allowances for health and safety, allowing make-up tests and assignments, and excusing absences for medical necessities and urgent caregiving obligations. Additionally, the bill requires institutions to develop and adopt a written policy addressing parenting and pregnancy discrimination, which must be made accessible to faculty, staff, and students.

Furthermore, the bill expands protections for students taking a leave of absence due to parenting, ensuring that they can return to their programs in good academic standing after a leave period of up to one academic year. It clarifies that students are not required to reapply for admission after their leave. The definition of a parenting student is established as one who is a parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age. The act is set to take effect immediately and will apply to the first full academic year following its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:3B-74, 18A:3B-76