2026 Minnesota Statutes

135A.1582 PROTECTIONS FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING STUDENTS.

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 postsecondary institution who is the parent or legal guardian of or can claim as a dependent a child under the age of 18.

(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.

(d) "Pregnancy or related conditions" has the meaning given in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 106.2.

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

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 postsecondary institution.

(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 for a reasonable period of time as determined to be medically necessary by a student's treating health care provider insofar as to not compromise the fundamental outcomes of the academic course, program, or activity. If the postsecondary institution has a student medical leave or student temporary disability policy that provides a longer period of leave, the policy must be made available to students affected by pregnancy and related conditions;

(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;

(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; and

(5) ensure the benefits and services provided to students affected by pregnancy are no less than those provided to students with temporary medical conditions.

(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 for a reasonable period of time as determined to be medically necessary by a student's treating health care provider or the health care provider of the parenting student's child insofar as to not compromise the fundamental outcomes of the academic course, program, or activity. If the postsecondary institution has a student medical leave or student temporary disability policy that provides a longer period of leave, the policy must be made available to students affected by pregnancy and related conditions and to parenting students;

(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; and

(3) obtain reasonable modifications, including an excused absence for parenting students to attend to their child's health care needs, unless the modification would compromise the fundamental outcomes of the academic course, program, or activity.

(e) 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. Priority registration for parenting students shall include the following considerations:

(1) automatically assign eligible pregnant and parenting students a registration window time that occurs no later than the earliest undergraduate registration period offered;

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

(3) annual notification provided to all enrolled students describing the rights and protections afforded to pregnant and parenting students;

(4) provide notification of the priority registration process to each student who self-identifies as a pregnant or parenting student; and

(5) publish information regarding programs, services, and student rights specific to parenting students on the postsecondary institution's website.

(f) Postsecondary institutions must adopt policies and procedures to implement this subdivision. The Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota is requested to comply with this subdivision.

Subd. 3.Policy on discrimination.

Each postsecondary institution must adopt and the University of Minnesota is requested to adopt a policy for students on pregnancy and parenting discrimination. The policy must:

(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;

(2) be posted in an easily accessible, straightforward format on the postsecondary institution's website; and

(3) be made available annually to faculty, staff, and employees of the postsecondary institution.

Subd. 4.Administration.

The commissioner of the Office of Higher Education must, in consultation with the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, and other relevant stakeholders, establish guidelines, as necessary, to administer this section. The guidelines 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 the minimum 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.

History:

2024 c 124 art 2 s 6; 2024 c 127 art 35 s 6; 1Sp2025 c 5 art 2 s 5; 2026 c 116 s 5-7