January 16, 2024
Students for Life Action (SFLAction) is excited to see the Pregnant Students Rights Act making its way through committees and markups in the House. The Pregnant Students Rights Act would “require institutions of higher education to disseminate information on the rights of, and accommodations and resources for, pregnant students, and for other purposes.”
Here’s what you need to know:
What’s at stake?
Getting an education is a path out of poverty and toward hope and a future. Part of building a pro-life culture means Congress must act to protect pregnant and parenting students who are working to build a better life. Women balancing school, pregnancy, and family deserve our support. Yet, ironically, too few students know about Title IX, the law that is supposed to protect their rights.
What Does the Legislation Do?
The Pregnant Students Rights Act 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.
Students who find themselves pregnant should not be harassed or harangued by their schools or teachers but supported and given resources to flourish. Our schools and legislators should invest in creating resources, programs, and support for pregnant women, enabling them to achieve their academic and career goals instead of facilitating the killing of their child. Abortion not only ends the life of an innocent preborn child but can also lead to lifelong physical and emotional repercussions. There is no legitimate reason for college and university campuses to not defend the rights of pregnant students.
What We Have Said About the Issue
Students for Life Action has been working closely with Rep. Hinson’s (R-IA-2) office during the 117th Congress and the 118th Congress on this important piece of pro-life legislation. Students for Life of America’s Standing with You initiative includes many resources for pregnant and parenting women, including information on Title IX rights and requirements. SFLA has been publicizing the Pregnant and Parenting Bill of Rights for years as well.
This Congress, we are also scoring key votes on this legislation. Students for Life Action sent a letter to House members urging them to vote in favor of this bill.
What’s next?
The Pregnant Students Rights Act is expected to be heard in the Rules Committee Tuesday, January 16th and we are contacting members of Congress urging them to vote in favor of this bill. We are grateful for Rep. Hinson (R-IA-2) and for her leadership on this great piece of legislation.
Stay tuned to this blog for future updates, as we track the progress of this legislation. To learn more about the other legislation moving through Congress that SFLAction supports, check out our blog.