Postsecondary education: undergraduate and graduate students: pregnancy or pregnancy-related issues.

Assembly Member Fong's proposal to amend California's Education Code expands pregnancy-related protections for postsecondary students, extending existing graduate student safeguards to undergraduates and establishing new accommodation requirements for all students affected by pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions.

The legislation prohibits postsecondary institutions from requiring pregnant students to take leaves of absence or withdraw from their programs. When informed of a student's pregnancy, institutions must connect students with Title IX coordinators who oversee accommodation arrangements. These accommodations may include schedule adjustments, extended deadlines, online learning options, and access to private lactation rooms. Students maintain the right to accept or decline any offered accommodations.

For leave periods, birth parents may take up to 12 months or a longer medically necessary duration, while non-birth parents receive at least one month. Upon return, institutions must reinstate students to their previous academic standing and maintain their institution-based financial aid levels. The bill also requires schools to develop, distribute, and prominently post written policies covering pregnancy discrimination and accommodation procedures, with annual email notifications to the campus community and availability through on-campus medical centers.

The provisions apply to all University of California, California State University, and California Community College campuses, as well as private institutions receiving state funding. As a state-mandated program, qualifying institutions may receive reimbursement for associated costs through established government procedures.