HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS PREGNANT STUDENTS’ RIGHT ACT AHEAD OF NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE

HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS PREGNANT STUDENTS' RIGHT ACT AHEAD OF NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE

Measure Would Require Universities to Help Pregnant Students Carry to Term & Stay in School

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In advance of the annual March for Life on Friday, Senate Pro-Life Caucus Chair Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) signed as an original cosponsor of pro-life legislation to support pregnant college students by requiring colleges and universities to actively inform them of their rights and protections.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act (S.3627), introduced by U.S. Senator Ashely Moody (R-Fla.), is intended to help pregnant students carry a pregnancy to term without abandoning their academic career, such as modified class schedules, excused absences, and other resources.

"Standing up for life is more than just saying the right words. It means showing up with real support. For women in college, balancing coursework with pregnancy can be especially challenging, and they deserve to fully understand their rights to reasonable accommodations and protection from discrimination," Senator Hyde-Smith said. "As chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, I am proud to support this legislation and policies like it that empower pregnant women with the resources they need to thrive and nurture life."

"Navigating college can be challenging, and unfortunately women who become pregnant can feel pressure choose between bringing life into this world or academic failure. No one should have to make this decision. My Pregnant Students' Rights Act ensures students know what resources and support are available to them to stay in school, succeed, and care for their new baby," Senator Moody said.

S.3627 would amend the Higher Education Act to ensure all college students who are pregnant or may become pregnant know their rights and protections to carry a pregnancy to term. It would require universities to inform students on how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if there is a violation of Title IX protections for pregnant students.

The measure would also require universities to disseminate information regarding the rights and protections for pregnant students to carry a pregnancy to term through emails, student handbooks, at orientation, on publicly available websites, and at student health or counseling centers. Information must include a list of campus resources to help pregnant students and new mothers, including school-provided accommodations.

Majority Leader John Thune and U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) also cosponsored the bill.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act is supported by Students for Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and March for Life Action.

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