H.R.6359 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
House Roll Call
H.R.6359
| Bill | H.R.6359 — Pregnant Students’ Rights Act |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Motion to Recommit |
| Vote type | Yea-and-Nay |
| Result | Failed |
| Totals | Yea 213 / Nay 216 / Present 0 / Not Voting 2 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0 | 216 | 0 | 2 |
| D | 213 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Motion to Recommit
Bill Analysis
Bill: H.R. 6359 (119th Congress) – Pregnant Students’ Rights Act
Purpose and Scope
H.R. 6359 requires the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to develop and disseminate clear information on the rights of pregnant students and students with childbirth-, abortion-, or related-condition–related needs under existing federal law, primarily Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. It does not create new substantive rights; it focuses on disclosure, notice, and transparency.
Core Requirements
Model Rights Notice: ED must create a standardized, plain-language notice describing:
- Protections against discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy (including abortion), or recovery from these conditions.
- Rights to reasonable adjustments, excused absences, and continuation of studies.
- Complaint and enforcement mechanisms (e.g., institutional Title IX coordinators, ED’s Office for Civil Rights).
Institutional Obligations: Colleges and universities receiving federal funds must:
- Distribute the ED-developed notice to all students annually.
- Provide the notice to any student who discloses pregnancy or a related condition, or requests related accommodations.
- Post the notice prominently on institutional websites and in physical locations accessible to students.
Data and Reporting: ED must report to Congress on:
- Implementation by covered institutions.
- Any patterns in complaints or noncompliance related to pregnant students’ rights.
Agencies and Programs Affected
- Primary: U.S. Department of Education (especially the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX enforcement infrastructure).
- Secondary: All institutions of higher education and potentially other educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance.
Beneficiaries and Regulated Parties
- Beneficiaries: Pregnant students and students affected by childbirth, abortion, miscarriage, or related medical conditions, who gain clearer knowledge of their existing protections.
- Regulated: Federally funded educational institutions, which must comply with new notice and dissemination requirements.
Funding and Timelines
- The bill primarily imposes administrative and compliance duties; it does not establish major new grant programs.
- ED must issue the model notice within a specified period after enactment (typically within months; exact statutory deadline would be set in the text), after which institutional compliance deadlines follow.
Yea (213)
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
E
Eric Swalwell
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Nay (216)
K
Ken Calvert
S
Scott Franklin
L
Lisa McClain
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
