BILL NUMBER: S5444
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation protecting rights of
pregnant and parenting students in schools and education
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill establishes protections for pregnant and parenting students in
New York's educational institutions, ensuring that they are not discrim-
inated against, excluded from academic programs, or denied reasonable
accommodations due to pregnancy or parenting status.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Names the act as the "Protecting Rights of Pregnant and
Parenting Students in Schools and Education Act."
Section 2: Amends Title 7 of the education law by adding a new Article
129-C.
Section 3 & 4: Directs the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of
Trustees and community college boards to adopt rules establishing mini-
mum leave-of-absence periods for pregnant and parenting students.
Section 5: Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Pregnant and parenting students face significant barriers in completing
their education, including academic discrimination, lack of accommo-
dations, and insufficient institutional support. Federal Title IX regu-
lations prohibit discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, but enforce-
ment and institutional policies often fall short, leaving students
vulnerable to academic penalties, exclusion, and lack of essential
resources.
Nationally, one in five college students is a parent, and many face
financial and logistical challenges balancing their education with care-
giving responsibilities. Studies show that student parents graduate at
lower rates than their peers, often due to inflexible academic policies
and a lack of institutional support. By requiring accommodations such as
excused absences, academic flexibility, and access to essential
resources, this bill ensures that pregnant and parenting students have
equal opportunities to succeed.
New York must lead in protecting students' rights by codifying these
protections into state law, ensuring that all students can pursue higher
education without discrimination. Similar policies have been enacted in
other states, such as California and Illinois, with positive outcomes
for student retention and success.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 days after becoming law

Statutes affected:
S5444: 355 education law, 6306 education law