Urge your Assemblymember to support AB 1784 to protect the Title IX rights of all college student parents. This bill supports the rights of undergraduate student parents, designates a point person on campus to assist student parents with accommodations, and shares information about these rights with students. 

20% of college students in California are parents. Student parents are often older, financially independent, highly motivated, and earn better grades than their dependent peers. It is in the state’s best interest to support these students so they can thrive, as college sets up student parents and their children for future success. 

Schools cannot discriminate against a pregnant or parenting student and must accommodate their unique needs. Sadly, without knowledge of these rights, student parents may drop out of college, face discrimination, or believe their school is unsupportive, creating an off-ramp to college success rather than a bridge forward. No student should have to choose between her dreams of educational attainment and caring for her children. 

Codifying the rights of student parents, raising awareness of these rights as a campus norm, and designating a point person for students to work with will ensure that these bright students can achieve academic parity, continue learning, and provide for their children at the same time.