Pregnant and Parenting Students

What the Title IX Federal Law Says

Title IX prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. Title IX also prohibits a school, college, or university from applying any rule related to a student's parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on their gender.

What the Texas State Laws Say

Texas Education Code Section 51.982

An institution of higher education may not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student's status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student's pregnancy or parenting to:

1. Take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program;

2. Limit the student's studies;

3. Participate in an alternative program;

4. Change the student's major, degree, or certificate program; or

5. Refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.

An institution of higher education shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that:

1. Would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or

2. Are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.

An institution of higher education shall, for reasons related to a student's pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:

1. Excuse the student's absence;

2. Allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments; 

3. Allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and

4. Provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lectures are made available to any other student with an excused absence.

An institution of higher education shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to:

1. Take a leave of absence; and 

2. If in good academic standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student's degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.

Texas Education Code Section 51.9357

Each institution of higher education shall designate at least one (1) employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students at the institution who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. The liaison officer shall provide to the students information regarding support services and other resources available to the students at the institution, including:

1. Resources to access:

a. Medical and behavioral health coverage and services; and

b. Public benefit programs, including programs related to food security, affordable housing, and housing subsidies;

2. Parenting and child care resources;

3. Employment resources;

4. Transportation assistance;

5. Student academic success strategies; and

6. Any other resources developed by the institution to assist the students.

Not later than May 1 of each academic year, an institution of higher education shall submit to the coordinating board a report that contains the following information regarding students enrolled at the institution for the current academic year who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age:

1. The number of those students;

2. Demographic data, including age, race, sex, and ethnicity;

3. Academic data, including full-time or part-time enrollment status and graduation, transfer, and withdrawal rates; and

4. Other data as prescribed by coordinating board rule.

Texas Education Code Section 51.983

If an institution of higher education provides early registration for courses or programs at the institution for any group of students, the institution shall provide early registration for those courses or programs for parenting students in the same manner.