An Act relating to higher education; defining term; prohibiting certain institutions from taking certain actions due to a students pregnancy; requiring an institution to make reasonable accommodations for pregnant students; providing for reasonable accommodations; providing for certain leave of absence to prepare for and take certain examinations; providing for certain leave of absence extension; requiring an enrolled student who takes certain leave of absence to return to certain program after certain period of time; providing exemption; directing certain consideration; directing certain office to investigate complaints and facilitate forwarding of certain complaints; requiring institutions to have certain written policies and procedures; requiring a copy of policies and procedures to be made available to faculty, staff, employees, and students; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
One Reply to “SB 408 (2025)”
SB 408 strengthens protections for pregnant students at universities that accept any government funding, including state money. Requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations for housing, exams, and in hazardous environments (ex: chemical exposure in labs). Ensures students can take a leave of absence without risking their enrollment or academic progress.
Context: Similar protections exist under Title IX, which prohibits gender discrimination in education. However, Title IX only applies to institutions that receive federal funding, such as federal student loans. Private universities that decline federal funds are not required to comply. SB 408 expands these protections to universities that accept state funds, even if they do not accept federal funds.
This is a refile of Sen. Boren’s SB 627 (2023).
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