New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S05444

Introduced
2/21/25  
Refer
2/21/25  

Caption

Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

Impact

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the education law by adding a specific article dedicated to protecting the rights of students affected by pregnancy and childbirth. It outlines the rights of these students to remain in their academic programs without being forced to take leave or alter their course of study solely due to their pregnancy status. Furthermore, it requires institutions to adopt policies that ensure reasonable accommodations, such as flexible attendance policies, access to instructional materials, and the provision of lactation facilities.

Summary

Bill S05444, known as the 'Protecting Rights of Pregnant Students, Parenting Students, and Students with Pregnancy-Related Conditions in Schools and Education Act', aims to establish comprehensive protections and accommodations for pregnant and parenting students at educational institutions in New York. This bill mandates that institutions of higher education designate liaison officers to assist these students, ensuring they have access to necessary resources and information regarding their rights and available support services.

Contention

While the bill has been hailed as a progressive step towards increasing support for vulnerable student populations, there may be points of contention regarding the implementation of these accommodations. Concerns may arise about the administrative burdens it places on educational institutions, particularly regarding the requirement for early registration and designated liaison roles. Additionally, there may be debates focusing on the specifics of what constitutes 'reasonable accommodation' and how institutions will balance the needs of these students with available resources.

Companion Bills

NY A06606

Same As Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

Previously Filed As

NY A06606

Establishes protections for the rights of pregnant students, parenting students, and students with pregnancy-related conditions in schools; requires schools to establish liaison officers for such students and to disseminate information relating to resources available to such students; directs that rules be established to administer such rights and to establish minimum periods of time for a leave of absence at the student's option.

NY HB6359

Pregnant Students’ Rights Act

NY SB3627

Pregnant Students’ Rights Act

NY A07566

Requires the preparation and dissemination of written materials regarding child access prevention and the safe storage of firearms; establishes such information shall be provided to students and/or persons in a parental relationship to such students at the beginning of each semester or quarter of the regular school year beginning on and after July 1, 2026.

NY A10650

Implements a students' bill of rights for city university of New York institutions to guarantee certain rights to students at such institutions.

NY A07400

Implements a students' bill of rights for city university of New York institutions to guarantee certain rights to students at such institutions.

NY SB186

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Students with Disabilities Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

NY S07590

Establishes an automatic application program for state high school students into SUNY and CUNY.

NY S08663

Establishes a transfer student appeal process to provide students with an option to pursue a second opinion regarding the status of their transfer credits from out-of-state schools, out-of-country schools, or non-public schools.

NY SB511

Public Senior Higher Education Institutions - Pregnant and Parenting Students - Plan Requirements (Pregnant and Parenting Student Support Act)

Similar Bills

NJ A1679

Provides certain deceptive practices in advertising of pregnancy-related services or health care services violate consumer fraud act.

NJ S3319

Provides certain deceptive practices in advertising of pregnancy-related services violate consumer fraud act.

KS HB2635

Enacting the pregnancy center autonomy and rights of expression act to protect the ability of private pregnancy centers to provide life-affirming care.

OK HB3194

Pregnancy centers; terms; agencies; pregnancy center; prohibitions; abortion-inducing drugs or contraception; counsel; staffing or hiring decisions; remedies; severability; effective date.

NJ A3753

Requires crisis pregnancy centers to disclose certain information in multiple languages.

SC H3504

Pregnancy CARE Act

SC H3012

Pregnancy CARE Act

NJ SR30

Supports work of pregnancy resource centers and condemns harassment of pregnancy resource centers by AG.