Press Releases

Today, the Education and Workforce Committee passed two bills: H.R. 6359 protects pregnant students’ right to pursue an education and H.R. 4307 gives Department of Labor (DOL) staff better tools to spot human trafficking and help stop exploitation.
 
Following the markup, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) said: “Too often, pregnant students are forced to make an impossible decision: terminate a pregnancy to remain in school, or face reprisals and repercussions for carrying a baby to term. Many schools fail to provide women with the basic support needed to have a healthy pregnancy while in school, adding stress to the lives of expecting mothers instead of alleviating it. Expecting mothers have every right to pursue a high-quality education. I’m proud to support Rep. Hinson’s bill to ensure pregnant students are informed and protected as they further their education.
 
“The Committee also passed my bipartisan bill to address the scourge of human trafficking. The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act equips DOL staff with the tools and knowledge needed to detect and confront human trafficking and protect vulnerable people, including women and children, being exploited. In other words, it turns DOL employees into an early warning system against human trafficking. I was proud to introduce this bill with Rep. McBath as Congress works to end the sick crime of human trafficking.”
 
H.R. 6359, Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, authored by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA):

• Requires schools to provide a list of on-campus and community resources at least once a year and accommodations to help pregnant students carry and care for a baby as a condition of receiving student aid.
• Requires schools to inform pregnant students of how to file Title IX complaints if their rights were violated.

 
H.R. 4307, Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act, authored by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI):

• Ensures DOL staff are equipped with sufficient tools and resources to report labor or sexual exploitation.
• Establishes a clear framework for DOL employees to assist law enforcement in preventing labor or sexual exploitation.
• Promotes DOL transparency and congressional oversight regarding DOL detection and response to human trafficking. 

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