Increase Protections for Pregnant & Parenting Students in California

We respectfully ask for your signature on AB 1784. This is an important measure that ensures pregnant undergraduates are provided the same rights and accommodations that are presently provided only to graduate students. Specifically, AB 1784 prohibits a college from requiring an undergraduate (or graduate) student to take a leave of absence or withdraw from an undergraduate (or graduate) program because of their pregnancy, or otherwise limit the student’s studies, because the student is pregnant or experiencing pregnancy-related conditions. While students may request accommodations for bonding with a newborn or adopted infant or child, primary caregivers, who are largely women, are most susceptible to unjust conditions. The lack of accommodations, including medically necessary leave, access to participation in academic work during and post-pregnancy and accommodating a student’s appropriate return rights to their academic standing, may ultimately drive them to withdraw from their studies and forgo their higher education goals. Pregnant and parenting students should be afforded every opportunity to pursue their academic goals and be protected from any bias or discrimination based on the student’s pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions. AB 1784 also expands protections for all pregnant and parenting students by ensuring that colleges and universities inform all students about their rights under federal and state law. This increases the likelihood that they will seek assistance under existing law, as these laws (like Title IX) are not being implemented consistently or to their fullest extent.