In December 2025, H.R.6359, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, was introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA-2) and then referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. On the surface, the bill is intended to require higher education institutions to provide information to pregnant students to support them through pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, supporters of reproductive healthcare access view it as a “thinly veiled anti-abortion law which would not address the key barriers to pregnant students’ educational attainment, but would instead further shame and stigmatize people for their pregnancy outcomes.”
While access to services and clear information is critical for pregnant students seeking to meet their academic goals without being penalized by pregnancy stigma, the bill in its current form falls short. As written, the bill misses key provisions and risks deepening existing gaps, particularly at a time when the nation is increasingly divided on reproductive rights. If passed in its current state, the bill would do nothing more than limit students’ ability to choose, as it fails to provide any initiatives that would help pregnant students and parents remain enrolled and succeed academically. The language of the bill only mentions providing information for pregnant students that plan to carry a baby to term, not students that are interested in exploring other options.
In response, the Coalition for Pregnant and Student Advocacy spoke out in opposition to the bill. The coalition claimed the bill would “reinforce structural and institutional bias and scrutiny of the decisions students make regarding their personal lives.” Crucially, the coalition emphasized that the problem is not a lack of services on paper. Rather, pregnant and parenting students are often routinely denied the resources, accommodations, and institutional support they need to thrive, leaving many feeling isolated and disconnected from their campus communities.
This context matters. In 2024, more than 5.4 million students were parents, spanning undergraduate and graduate programs Yet student parents are often forced to navigate at least 11 large policy systems, from public schools to child care. Traditional students, by contrast, typically navigate only one.
As the coalition argues, meaningful legislation would address the interconnected policy systems that parents and pregnant people are required to navigate. This includes access to basic needs, childcare, housing stability, and flexible location and scheduling accommodations. Without coordinated policies and practical implementation, information alone is insufficient to support students’ educational goals in a holistic and sustainable way.
As Congress determines the future of H.R. 6359, policymakers must ask whether the bill meaningfully addresses the real needs of pregnant and parenting students. Without enforceable support and systemic accommodations, information alone falls short. Students deserve policies that respect bodily autonomy and enable them to pursue their education without sacrificing their well-being.
