§7–301.

§7–301.1.

(a) A student’s absence due to a student’s pregnancy or parenting needs is a lawful absence as provided under this section.

(b) Each county board shall develop a written attendance policy for pregnant and parenting students that, at a minimum, meets the requirements of this section.

(c) (1) The policy developed under subsection (b) of this section shall:

(i) Excuse all absences due to pregnancy– or parenting–related conditions, including absences for:

1. Labor;

2. Delivery;

3. Recovery; and

4. Prenatal and postnatal medical appointments;

(ii) Provide at least 10 days of excused absences for a parenting student after the birth of the student’s child;

(iii) Excuse any parenting–related absences due to an illness or a medical appointment of the student’s child, including up to 4 days of absences per school year for which the school may not require a note from a physician;

(iv) Excuse any absence due to a legal appointment involving the pregnant or parenting student that is related to family law proceedings, including adoption, custody, and visitation; and

(v) Excuse any parenting–related absence from a class due to use of a lactation space to nurse or express breast milk.

(2) In addition to home and hospital services, the school may allow the student to:

(i) Make up the work that the student missed in a time period that equals at least as many days that the student was absent; and

(ii) Choose one of the following alternatives to make up work that the student missed:

1. Retake a semester;

2. Participate in an online course credit recovery program; or

3. Allow the student 6 weeks to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date.

(3) Each county board shall publish its written attendance policy for pregnant and parenting students on the county board’s website.