NEWS RELEASE: Senator Moody Supports Life, Sponsors Pregnant Students’ Rights Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, ahead of next week's March for Life, Senator Ashley Moody is supporting the right to life and introducing the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. This bill requires universities to inform students who are pregnant of their rights and protections that would allow them to carry a pregnancy to term without abandoning their academic career, such as modified class schedules, excused absences, and resources.Majority Leader John Thune andSenators James Lankford, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Bill Cassidy, Jim Banks, Ted Budd, Marsha Blackburn, Rick Scott, Chuck Grassley, Steve Daines, and Roger Wicker have cosponsored the legislation. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act is supported by Students for Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and March for Life Action.

Senator Ashley Moody said, "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."

Majority Leader John Thune said, "Helping both moms and their babies is central to the pro-life movement. I'm grateful to Senator Moody for leading this legislation, which would ensure that pregnant college students have access to the support they need to carry their baby to term and to care for their child."

Senator Jim Banks said, "No young woman should be forced to choose between her education and her child. I'm proud to support this bill to ensure colleges are transparent about students' rights."

Senator Ted Budd said, "American universities could do much more to make clear that current law includes procedures to ease the burdens on pregnant women enrolled in college. I am proud to join Sen. Moody and Rep. Hinson in introducing legislation to ensure that pregnant students are aware of the protections afforded to them and how to take action if they believe their rights are violated, so they can continue their education while starting a family."

Senator Marsha Blackburn said, "No woman should feel like they have to choose between having their baby and completing their degree. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act would give young women the support and resources they need to choose life and ensure colleges inform students of these resources."

Senator Steve Daines said, "Being pro-life means doing everything we can to give moms the resources and support they need to choose motherhood, even in challenging circumstances. As a dad of four and grandpa of seven, protecting families will always be my top priority. I'm proud to work with Senator Moody on this bill to ensure colleges and universities inform women of their rights as both mothers and students."

Senator Chuck Grassley said, "Mothers shouldn't have to choose between their education and their unborn child. Our pro-mother, pro-family legislation supports pregnant women, ensuring they can fully understand their rights and receive support while pursuing their dreams. I thank Senator Moody and Congresswoman Hinson for leading this charge to empower mothers working to create the best future for their families."

Senator Rick Scott said, "The Pregnant Students' Rights Act is a commonsense step to ensure pregnant students receive much-needed information and communication on resources and support available from their universities while they work to further their education. This is a great bill to protect and empower students when they need support the most, and I'm proud to join Senator Moody in this effort."

Senator James Lankford said, "We should have a culture that supports both learning and life. No student should feel forced to choose between continuing their education and continuing a pregnancy. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act ensures colleges clearly communicate the resources and protections already guaranteed under the law, so young women can stay in school, and succeed without fear of discrimination or abortion coercion. Simply allowing women to know their rights should not be controversial."

Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith said, "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. 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."

U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson said, "College students who are pregnant or may become unexpectedly pregnant deserve to know every resource available to them, and it is unacceptable that so many often feel they have to choose between finishing their education and having their baby. My legislation empowers young women to choose life and ensures they have the resources and support necessary to build the best future for themselves and their child. I'm grateful to Senator Ashley Moody for leading these efforts in the Senate!"

Honorable Marilyn Musgrave, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said, "No student should have to choose between her education and her child. It is no small feat to complete a college degree while pregnant. Women who choose both education and family are courageous and deserve clear information and resources to build the best future for herself and her baby. The Pregnant Students' Rights Act takes an important step by ensuring universities inform students about the life-affirming support available to them. Thank you, Senator Moody, for championing this legislation that uplifts mothers and helps families on campuses nationwide."

Students for Life of America & Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins said, "Getting an education is a path out of poverty and toward hope and a future. As part of building a pro-life culture, Congress must act to protect pregnant and parenting students who are working to build a better life, and we applaud Sen. Moody (R-FL) for introducing the Pregnant Students' Rights Act in the U.S. Senate. Women balancing school, pregnancy, and family deserve our support. Yet, ironically, far too few know about Title IX, the law that is supposed to protect their rights. This effort will require schools to communicate protections in place and commit to helping such pregnant and parenting students succeed on campus. As the Pro-Life Generation knows, this is a long-term need and too common a problem."

March for Life Action President Jennie Bradley Lichter said, "March for Life Action applauds Senator Moody's introduction of the Pregnant Students Rights Act, legislation that will ensure pregnant students are informed about their rights and the accommodations they deserve on college campuses across the nation. This bill is critical for empowering student moms and will save lives. Far too often, young women are told that having a baby as a student will mark the end of their education, and that abortion is their only option. That's not true - and the Pregnant Students Rights Act makes sure that colleges and universities proactively communicate all of the ways in which they will accommodate a pregnant student and support her in having her baby and getting her degree."

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act amends 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, such as modified class schedules, excused absences, and more. The bill requires universities to inform students 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 also ensures universities 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 pregnancy students and new mothers, accommodations provided by the school for pregnancy students and new mothers, and contact information for filing a discrimination complaint with ED or the school. These protections and options available to pregnant students include, and are not limited to, flexible class schedules, excused absences, and childcare assistance.

Read full bill text here.

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