119-HR-6359 Journalist Public Summary
119 · HR 6359 Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
A House bill would make colleges regularly tell students—by email, at orientation, in handbooks, on campus health centers, and on their websites—what resources and accommodations exist for pregnant students and how to file Title IX complaints; supporters frame it as help for student parents, while opponents say it omits contraception and abortion information. (congress.gov)
Headline Summary
Require colleges to proactively share where pregnant students can get help and what protections they have, with debate over whether the information is complete or one‑sided. (congress.gov)
What It Does
The bill’s goal is to ensure students know their rights and options if they are pregnant while enrolled in college. It requires schools that receive federal aid to regularly provide students with: (congress.gov)
- A list of on‑campus and community resources to help a student carry a pregnancy to term and care for a baby after birth. (congress.gov)
- Information about available accommodations (for example, excused absences or adjustments) to help pregnant students stay enrolled and parent after birth. (congress.gov)
- Instructions for filing Title IX complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the school if a student believes they were discriminated against for choosing to carry a pregnancy to term. (congress.gov)
- How this information must be shared: at least one annual email to every student, plus inclusion at orientation, in student handbooks, at student health/counseling centers, and on the school’s public website. (congress.gov)
Why It Matters
Supporters say consistent outreach could help pregnant students stay in school by making protections and local support easier to find. Opponents argue the bill steers students only toward carrying to term and withholds information about contraception, abortion, and pregnancy loss care—so the guidance isn’t complete. (studentsforlifeaction.org)
Who’s For It
- Sponsor: Rep. Ashley Hinson (R‑IA) and House Republicans on the Education & Workforce Committee. (congress.gov)
- Pro‑life advocacy groups such as Students for Life Action, which say the bill connects student mothers with “life‑affirming” resources and will be scored as a priority. (studentsforlifeaction.org)
Who’s Against It
- House Education & Workforce Committee Democrats, including Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D‑VA), who say the bill provides only partial information and could endanger students by omitting contraception, abortion, and miscarriage‑related resources. (democrats-edworkforce.house.gov)
What’s Next
On January 8, 2026, the committee held a markup on H.R. 6359 that included an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The bill now awaits further committee action (such as filing a report) and possible scheduling for a House floor vote. Official status pages may lag behind same‑day proceedings. (congress.gov)
Discussion