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Bill > S3978
NJ S3978
NJ S3978"Student-Parent Protection Act"; ensures equal rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
summary
Introduced
12/16/2024
12/16/2024
In Committee
12/15/2025
12/15/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill, entitled the "Student-Parent Protection Act," ensures equal rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education. Under current law, an institution of higher education offering associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree programs is: · prohibited from requiring a student to take a leave of absence, withdraw from an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program, or limit associate, baccalaureate, or graduate studies solely due to pregnancy or pregnancy-related issues; · required to provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student to enable the student to complete coursework and research; and · required to develop and adopt a written policy for students on pregnancy discrimination and procedures for addressing pregnancy discrimination complaints under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or under State law. Current law further provides that an enrolled student in good academic standing who chooses to take a leave of absence because she is pregnant or has recently given birth is to return to the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program in good academic standing following a leave period consistent with the policies of the institution of higher education or of up to one academic year, whichever period is longer. If there is a medical reason for a longer absence, her standing in the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate program is to be maintained during that period of absence. This bill expands the protections provided under current law for pregnant students to parenting students. Under the bill, a parenting student is defined as a student enrolled in an institution of higher education who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years of age. The bill also requires the institution's discrimination policy to be posted at a publicly available location on its Internet website. The bill clarifies that a student is not required to reapply for admission at the institution following a leave period.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the "Student-Parent Protection Act," expands existing protections for pregnant students to include parenting students in higher education institutions. The bill defines a "parenting student" as a student who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years old. It prohibits institutions from requiring students to take a leave of absence, withdraw, or limit their studies due to parenting or pregnancy-related issues. The legislation mandates that schools provide reasonable accommodations for parenting and pregnant students, including allowing safe distance from hazardous substances, making up missed tests and assignments, taking leaves of absence, and excusing absences for medical or caregiving reasons. Institutions must develop and publish a written policy on parenting and pregnancy discrimination, which must be distributed to students and posted on the institution's website. The bill ensures that students in good academic standing can return to their program after a leave of absence for parenting or pregnancy, with a guaranteed return period of up to one academic year, and clarifies that students are not required to reapply for admission after such a leave. The act will take effect immediately and apply to the first full academic year following its enactment.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading (on 12/15/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3978 |
| Analysis - Statement SHI 12/15/25 | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3978_S1.PDF |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S4000/3978_I1.HTM |
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