Relating to designation of liaison officers to assist certain students who are parents. 

Summary: Requires all public institutions of higher education to designate at least one employee to act as a liaison officer for current or incoming students who are the parent or guardian of a child younger than 18 years of age. Liaison officer provides assistance to resources for parenting studentsl. 

Effective June 12, 2023.  https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1361

Relating to protections for pregnant and parenting students enrolled in public institutions of higher education. 

Summary: An institution of higher education may not require a pregnant or parenting student to take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student's degree or certificate program, limit their studies, participate in an alternative program, change the student's major, degree, or certificate programs, or regrain from joining or cease participating in any course or activity. Also, adds requirements on the instituion to provide specific accommodations to preganant and parenting students. 

1. May not require a pregnant or parenting student, solely because of the student’s status as a pregnant or parenting student or due to issues related to the student’s pregnancy or parenting, to:
   1. Take a leave of absence or withdraw from the student’s degree or certificate program;
   2. Limit the student’s studies;
   3. Participate in an alternative program;
   4. Change the student’s major, degree, or certificate program; or
   5. Refrain from joining or cease participating in any course, activity, or program at the institution.
2. Shall provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that:
   1. Would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or
   2. Are related to the health and safety of the student and the student’s unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children.
3. Shall for reasons related to a student’s pregnancy, childbirth, or any resulting medical status or condition:
   1. Excuse the student’s absence;
   2. Allow the student to make up missed assignments or assessments;
   3. Allow the student additional time to complete assignments in the same manner as the institution allows for a student with a temporary medical condition; and
   4. Provide the student with access to instructional materials and video recordings of lectures for classes for which the student has an excused absence under this section to the same extent that instructional materials and video recordings of lecturers are made available to any other student with an excused absence.
4. Shall allow a pregnant or parenting student to:
   1. Take a leave of absence ; and
   2. If in good standing at the time the student takes a leave of absence, return to the student’s degree or certificate program in good academic standing without being required to reapply for admission.
5. Shall adopt a policy for students on pregnancy and parenting discrimination. The policy must:
   1. Be posted in an easily accessible, straightforward format on the institution’s internet website; and
   2. Be made available annually to faculty, staff, and employees of the institution.

Effective September 1, 2023.  https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB412

Relating to early registration for parenting students at public institutions of higher education. 

Summary: Grants parenting students access to course registration prior to the general student population so they can ensure that thier class scheule aligns with the hours they have access to childcare. Begins with the registration for Spring 2024 semester. 

Effective Sepetember 1, 2023.  https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB459