Signed by Governor Pete Ricketts

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires schools to adopt policies for pregnant and parenting students.

Highlights:

• Requires schools to allow pregnant students to attend doctor appointments for prenatal or pediatric medical care (Sec. 1).

• Requires schools to provide opportunities for pregnant and parenting students to make up missed work or allow for alternative education (Sec. 1).

• Requires each school district to adopt a written policy prior to the 2018-2019 school year providing standards and guidelines to accommodate absences related to pregnancy and child care (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the state Department of Education to develop a model policy by December 2017 that includes the following regulations or resources (Sec. 3):

• Procedures to anticipate and provide for student absences due to pregnancy;

• Alternative methods of education such as tutoring or coursework that can be completed at home or online;

• Spaces to accommodate lactating students; and

• Procedures to assist students in finding child care providers if the school does not have a daycare facility.

• Authorizes mothers to breastfeed their children in certain public, private, denominational and parochial day schools (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text