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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 408 By: Boren
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to higher education; defining term;
prohibiting certain institutions from taking certain
actions due to a student ’s pregnancy; requiring an
institution to make reasonable accommodations for
pregnant students; providing for reasonable
accommodations; providing for certain leave of
absence to prepare for and take certain examinations;
providing for certain leave of absence exte nsion;
requiring an enrolled student who takes certain leave
of absence to return to certain program after certain
period of time; providing exemption; directing
certain consideration; directing certain office to
investigate complaints and facilitate forwa rding of
certain complaints; requiring institutions to have
certain written policies and procedures; requiring a
copy of policies and procedures to be made available
to faculty, staff, employees, and students; providing
for codification; providing an effec tive date; and
declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPL E OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3251 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
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 re ceives awards pursuant to Section 2604 of
Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Oklahoma Tuition Equalization
Grants pursuant to Section 2632 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma
Statutes, or other scholarships or tuition aid funded with state
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 lim it her
studies solely due to pregnancy. An institution, including the
faculty, staff, or other employees of the institution, shall
reasonably accommodate pregnant 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 student ’s health and safety,
such as allowing the student 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 absence
because she is pregnant or has recently given birth shall be allowed
a period consistent with the policies of the institution, or a
period of six (6) additional months, whichever is longer, t o prepare
for and take preliminary and qualifying examinations and an
extension of at least six (6) months toward completing the degree,
or while in candidacy for a degree, unless a longer extension is
medically necessary.
D. An enrolled student who choos es 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 academic 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 consider 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 Attorney
General shall facilitate the forwarding of complaints to the U.S.
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Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to investigate the
institution’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, 20 U.S.C., Section 1681 et seq.
G. Each institution shall have a written policy 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 available to faculty, staff, and
employees in their required training. The policy shall be included
in the student handbook and the institution ’s policies and
procedures and made available to all s tudents attending the
institution.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the pr eservation
of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-1-1091 EB 1/7/2025 7:42:47 AM