(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A bill providing accommodations for pregnant students and new mothers will head to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk after passage Monday by the Iowa Senate. Senate File 288 would require state universities and community colleges to allow pregnant students or new mothers to take leave without penalty, reschedule tests and assignments and utilize other accommodations. The Iowa House sent the bill back to the Senate last week with amendments to specify qualifying students as “biologically female” and removing set timeframes for certain accommodations.

Despite his opinion that the House “watered down” the bill by changing the language and removing the 12-month timeframe for accommodations, Sen. Jeff Taylor, R-Sioux Center, said he’d still like to see it passed. The legislation would require universities to publicize their policies and accommodations for pregnant students and those who recently gave birth, Taylor said, ensuring instructors cannot decide for themselves whether to work with these students and provide support. “For that reason, I think there continues to be merit to this bill,” Taylor said.

The Senate concurred with the House legislation and passed it with a unanimous vote.