SF 4738

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2026 10:59 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring postsecondary institutions to provide priority
registration for pregnant and parenting students; making technical changes;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 135A.1582, subdivisions
1, 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 135A.1582, subdivision 1, is
amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.

(b) "Parenting student" means a student enrolled at a public college or university who
is the parent or legal guardian of or can claim as a dependent a child under the age of 18.

new text begin (c) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution governed by the Board of Trustees
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or a private postsecondary institution that
offers in-person courses on a campus located in Minnesota and is an eligible institution as
defined in section 136A.103. Institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota are requested to comply with this section.
new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end "Pregnancy or related conditions" has the meaning given in Code of Federal
Regulations, title 34, section 106.2.

deleted text begin (d) "Postsecondary institution" means an institution governed by the Board of Trustees
of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or a private postsecondary institution that
offers in-person courses on a campus located in Minnesota and is an eligible institution as
defined in section 136A.103. Institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University
of Minnesota are requested to comply with this section.
deleted text end

new text begin (e) "Priority registration" means an opportunity to register for courses before the opening
of general registration for the majority of undergraduate students.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 135A.1582, subdivision 2, is amended
to read:

Subd. 2.

Rights and protections.

(a) A postsecondary institution may not require and
the University of Minnesota is requested not to require a pregnant or parenting student,
solely because of the student's status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues
related to the student's pregnancy or parenting, to:

(1) take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program;

(2) limit the student's studies;

(3) participate in an alternative program;

(4) change the student's major, degree, or certificate program; or

(5) refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the
college or university.

(b) A postsecondary institution shall provide and the University of Minnesota is requested
to provide reasonable modifications to a pregnant student, including modifications that:

(1) would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or

(2) are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such
as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities
known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

(c) A postsecondary institution must and the University of Minnesota is requested to,
for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or
condition:

(1) excuse the student's absence;

(2) allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;

(3) allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the
institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and

(4) provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of
lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence under this section to the
same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available
to any other student with an excused absence.

(d) A postsecondary institution must and the University of Minnesota is requested to
allow a pregnant or parenting student to:

(1) take a leave of absence; and

(2) if in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return
to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being
required to reapply for admission.

(e) deleted text begin If a postsecondary institution provides early registration for courses or programs at
the institution for any group of students, the institution must provide and the University of
Minnesota is requested to provide early registration for those courses or programs for
pregnant or parenting students in the same manner. deleted text end new text begin A public postsecondary institution must
provide proactive priority registration to pregnant and parenting students. The public
postsecondary institution must:
new text end

new text begin (1) automatically assign eligible pregnant and parenting students a registration
appointment time that occurs no later than the earliest general undergraduate registration
period offered by the public postsecondary institution;
new text end

new text begin (2) ensure that priority registration is granted without a separate petition, discretionary
approval, or case-by-case determination beyond verification of parenting status;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide written and electronic notice to all enrolled students at least once per academic
year describing the rights and protections afforded under this subdivision, including the
availability of priority registration;
new text end

new text begin (4) provide direct written and electronic notice to each student who self-identifies or is
verified as a pregnant or parenting student informing the student of the student's eligibility
for priority registration and how to register; and
new text end

new text begin (5) publish detailed information regarding parenting student rights, including priority
registration procedures, on the public postsecondary institution's public website and in the
student handbook.
new text end