HF4730

Purpose

• The bill aims to support pregnant and parenting students at public colleges and universities in Minnesota by requiring priority registration and extending protections and accommodations. It makes technical updates to existing statute to clarify definitions and rights.

Key definitions

• Parenting student: a student enrolled at a public college or university who is a parent, legal guardian, or can claim as a dependent a child under age 18.
• Pregnancy or related conditions: defined for the bill in line with federal rules (to cover pregnancy and related health needs).
• Postsecondary institution: public Minnesota State Colleges and Universities schools or private institutions offering in-person courses in Minnesota eligible under state law (and asks the University of Minnesota to comply).
• Priority registration: the opportunity for these students to register for courses before most undergraduates.

Main protections and rights for pregnant or parenting students

• Protection from punitive actions: institutions may not require a pregnant or parenting student to take leave, withdraw, limit their studies, switch majors, or miss course activities solely because of pregnancy or parenting.
• Reasonable modifications: institutions must provide accommodations similar to those given for temporary medical conditions, including health and safety-related adjustments (like avoiding hazardous areas or substances).
• Absences and missed work: a student may be excused for pregnancy-related reasons and must be allowed to make up missed assignments or assessments; receive extra time on assignments as allowed for other temporary medical conditions; and have access to instructional materials and recorded lectures for excused absences.
• Leave of absence and re-entry: a student may take a leave of absence and, if in good academic standing when leaving, must be able to return to their program without needing to reapply for admission.
• Early and priority registration: if the institution offers early registration for any group, pregnant and parenting students must receive comparable early registration.

Priority registration requirements

• Automatic scheduling: public postsecondary institutions must automatically assign eligible pregnant and parenting students a registration time no later than the earliest general undergraduate registration period.
• No extra barriers: priority registration must be granted without a separate petition, discretionary approval, or case-by-case determinations beyond verifying parenting status.
• Notifications to students: institutions must provide written and electronic notice to all enrolled students at least once per academic year describing rights and protections, including priority registration availability.
• Individual notices: institutions must give direct written and electronic notice to each student who self-identifies or is verified as a pregnant or parenting student, informing them of eligibility and how to register.
• Public information: institutions must publish detailed information about parenting student rights and priority registration procedures on their public website and in the student handbook.

Scope and implementation

• Coverage: applies to public postsecondary institutions and private institutions offering in-person courses in Minnesota; the University of Minnesota is specifically requested to comply with these provisions.
• Administrative expectations: the changes emphasize clear communication about rights and straightforward access to priority registration and accommodations.

Significant changes to existing law

• Adds a formal guarantee of priority registration for pregnant and parenting students.
• Establishes explicit rights to reasonable accommodations, excused absences, and makeup opportunities for pregnant/parenting students.
• Prohibits penalties or restrictions on coursework solely due to pregnancy or parenting.
• Requires proactive and transparent notice and publicity of these rights and procedures.

Implementation notes

• Some protections reference the University of Minnesota as a requested compliance target, indicating varying levels of obligation among different types of Minnesota institutions.
• The bill blends protections modeled after accommodations for medical conditions with pregnancy-specific needs, aiming for parity in access and opportunity.

Relevant Terms - priority registration - pregnant student - parenting student - reasonable modifications - leave of absence - make up missed assignments - excused absence - instructional materials - video recordings - early registration - automatic registration appointment - verification of parenting status - public postsecondary institution - University of Minnesota - Minnesota State Colleges and Universities - protected rights and protections - health and safety accommodations - hazardous substances - reentry without reapplication