H.R.6359 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
House Roll Call
H.R.6359
| Bill | H.R.6359 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Motion to Recommit |
| Vote type | Yea-and-Nay |
| Result | Failed |
| Totals | Yea 213 / Nay 216 / Present 0 / Not Voting 2 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0 | 216 | 0 | 2 |
| D | 213 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Motion to Recommit
Bill Analysis
Bill: H.R. 6359 (119th Congress) – Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Purpose and Scope
H.R. 6359 requires colleges and universities to inform students of their existing rights under federal law related to pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions. It does not create new substantive rights; instead, it mandates disclosure and transparency so students know protections available under Title IX and related statutes.
Key Requirements
- Covered Institutions: Any institution of higher education that receives federal financial assistance (essentially all public and most private colleges/universities).
- Notice to Students: Institutions must provide clear, written notice to students describing:
- The right not to be discriminated against based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from these conditions.
- The right to reasonable adjustments (e.g., larger desks, breaks, or other modifications) when medically necessary.
- The right to medically necessary leave and the ability to return to the same academic status after such leave.
- The right to participate in classes, extracurriculars, and programs without exclusion due to pregnancy or related conditions, unless voluntarily requested by the student.
- Form and Timing of Notice:
- Notice must be provided in accessible, plain language.
- It must be distributed at specified times (e.g., upon enrollment and periodically thereafter) and made easily available online.
- Complaint Information: Institutions must inform students how to file complaints internally and with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Agencies and Authorities
- Department of Education (ED):
- Oversees compliance through existing Title IX enforcement mechanisms.
- May issue guidance or regulations to standardize required notices.
- No new standalone program is created; the bill leverages existing civil rights authorities.
Beneficiaries and Regulated Parties
- Beneficiaries: Pregnant and parenting students, and students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions.
- Regulated: Federally funded higher education institutions; noncompliance could implicate existing Title IX-related funding consequences.
Timelines
- The bill sets implementation deadlines (e.g., within a defined period after enactment) for institutions to begin providing required notices, with ED authorized to clarify timing and format through guidance or rulemaking.
Yea (213)
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
E
Eric Swalwell
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Nay (216)
K
Ken Calvert
S
Scott Franklin
L
Lisa McClain
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
