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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE BILL 627 By: Boren
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to higher education; defining term;
prohibiting certain institut ions from taking certain
actions due to a student ’s pregnancy; requiring an
institution to make reasonable accommodations for
pregnant students; provi ding for reasonable
accommodations; providing for certain leave of
absence to prepare for and take certain examinations;
providing for certain leave of absen ce extension;
requiring an enrolled student who takes certain leave
of absence to return to certain program after certain
period of time; providing e xemption; directing
certain consideration; directing certain of fice to
investigate complaints and facilitate for warding of
certain complaints; requiring instituti ons to have
certain written policies and procedures; req uiring a
copy of policies and procedures to be made available
to faculty, staff, employees , and students; providing
for codification; providing an effe ctive date; and
declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new se ction of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Stat utes as Section 3251 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follo ws:
A. As used in this section, “institution” means:
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1. An institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher
Education; or
2. A private institution of higher learning located within this
state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of Title 70 of the
Oklahoma Statutes that receives awards pursuant to Se ction 2604 of
Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes , Oklahoma Tuition Equal ization
Grants pursuant to S ection 2632 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma
Statutes, or other scholarships or tuition aid funded with st ate
appropriations.
B. An institution, including the faculty, staff, or other
employees of the institution, shall not require an enrolled student
to take a leave of absence, withdraw from a program, or limit her
studies solely due to pregnancy. An institution, including the
faculty, staff, or other employees of t he institution, shall
reasonably accommodate pregna nt students so they may complete their
courses of study and research. Reasonable accommodation within the
meaning of this subsection may include but is not limited to :
1. Allowances for the pregnant stud ent’s health and safety,
such as allowing the stude nt to maintain a safe distance from
hazardous substances;
2. Allowing the student to make up tests and assignments that
are missed for pregnancy -related reasons; or
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3. Allowing a student to take a leave of absence. Reasonable
accommodations shall include the excusing of absences that are
medically necessary consistent with the laws of this state .
C. An enrolled student who chooses to take a leave of abse nce
because she is pregnant or has recently given birth shall be allowed
a period consistent with the policies of the inst itution, or a
period of six (6) additional months, whiche ver is longer, to prepare
for and take preliminary and qualifying examina tions and an
extension of at least six (6) months toward completing the degree,
or while in candidacy for a degree, un less a longer extension is
medically necessary.
D. An enrolled student who chooses to take a leave of absence
because she is pregnant or has recently given birth shall return to
her program following a leave period of up to one academ ic semester,
unless there is a medical reason for a longer absence, in which case
her standing in the program shall be maintained during that period
of absence.
E. The institution shall conside r the student’s requests for
housing accommodation due to her pregnancy.
F. The Office of Civil Rights Enforcement within the Office of
the Attorney General shall investigate complaints from students
alleging pregnancy discrimination in violation of this act. The
Office of Civil Rights Enforcement within the Office of the Attor ney
General shall facilitate the forwar ding of complaints to the U.S.
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Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to inves tigate the
institution’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972 (20 U.S.C. Sec tion 1681, et seq.).
G. Each institution shall have a written poli cy for enrolled
students on pregnancy discrimination and procedures for addressing
pregnancy discrimination complaints under Title IX or this section.
A copy of this policy shall be made avail able to faculty, staff , and
employees in their required trainin g. The policy shall be incl uded
in the student handbook and the institution ’s policies and
procedures and made available to all students atten ding the
institution.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the p reservation
of the public peace, health , or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
59-1-1028 EB 1/18/2023 8:26:48 AM