Bill
Bill > A5286
NJ A5286
NJ A5286"Student-Parent Protection Act"; ensures equal rights and opportunities for parenting students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
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 protections for parenting students in higher education institutions by modifying existing law to include parenting students alongside pregnant students. The bill defines a "parenting student" as a student who is a parent or legal guardian of a child under 18 years old, and introduces several key provisions to support such students. Institutions of higher education will now be prohibited from requiring students to take leave, withdraw, or limit their studies due to parenting, and must provide reasonable accommodations such as allowing students to make up missed tests and assignments, take leaves of absence, and excuse absences for medical necessities or urgent caregiving. The bill requires institutions to develop and publish a written policy on parenting and pregnancy discrimination, including posting the policy on their website. Additionally, the legislation ensures that parenting students in good academic standing can return to their academic program after a leave of absence of up to one academic year, and clarifies that students are not required to reapply for admission after taking such a leave. This bill aims to create a more supportive educational environment for students balancing academic pursuits with parenting responsibilities.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 02/10/2025)
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/A5286 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5286_I1.HTM |
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