SF 4177

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/27/2024 08:40am

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; authorizing rulemaking; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 135A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [135A.1582] PROTECTIONS FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING
STUDENTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purpose of this section, the following term has
the meaning given.
new text end

new text begin (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 end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Rights and protections. new text end

new text begin (a) A Minnesota state college or university 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:
new text end

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

new text begin (2) limit the student's studies;
new text end

new text begin (3) participate in an alternative program;
new text end

new text begin (4) change the student's major, degree, or certificate program; or
new text end

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

new text begin (b) A Minnesota state college or university shall provide and the University of Minnesota
is requested to provide reasonable modifications to a pregnant student, including
modifications that:
new text end

new text begin (1) would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (c) A Minnesota state college or university 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:
new text end

new text begin (1) excuse the student's absence;
new text end

new text begin (2) allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;
new text end

new text begin (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
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (d) A Minnesota state college or university must and the University of Minnesota is
requested to allow a pregnant or parenting student to:
new text end

new text begin (1) take a leave of absence; and
new text end

new text begin (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.
new text end

new text begin (e) If a public college or university provides early registration for courses or programs
at the institution for any group of students, the Minnesota state college or university 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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Policy on discrimination. new text end

new text begin Each Minnesota state college or university must
adopt and the University of Minnesota is requested to adopt a policy for students on
pregnancy and parenting discrimination. The policy must:
new text end

new text begin (1) include the contact information of the Title IX coordinator who is the designated
point of contact for a student requesting each protection or modification under this section.
Contact information must include the Title IX coordinator's name, phone number, email,
and office;
new text end

new text begin (2) be posted in an easily accessible, straightforward format on the college or university's
website; and
new text end

new text begin (3) be made available annually to faculty, staff, and employees of the college or
university.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking. new text end

new text begin The Office of Higher Education, in consultation with the Board
of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Board of Regents of
the University of Minnesota, must adopt rules as necessary to administer this section. The
rules must establish minimum periods for which a pregnant or parenting student must be
given a leave of absence under subdivision 2, paragraph (d). In establishing those periods,
the Office of Higher Education shall consider the maximum amount of time a student may
be absent without significantly interfering with the student's ability to complete the student's
degree or certificate program.
new text end