,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bcgf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ae1 #bjba,mr4 ,cruz 7for himself and ,mrs4 ,gillibrand7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,armed ,services ,a ,,bill ,to ensure the parental guardianship rights of cadets and midshipmen consistent with individual and academic responsibilities1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,candidates ,afforded ,dignity1 ,equality and ,training 7,,cadet7 ,act of #bjba4 #b4 ,prohibition on limiting of certain parental guardianship rights of cadets and midshipmen 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,defense1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security1 and the ,secretary of ,transportation1 in consultation with the ,secretaries of the military departments and the ,superintendent of each military service academy1 as appropriate1 shall prescribe in regulations policies ensuring that the parental guardianship rights of cadets and midshipmen are protected consistent with individual and academic responsibilities4 7b7 ,protection of parental guardianship rights ,the regulations prescribed under subsection 7a7 shall provide that-- 7#a7 a cadet or midshipman of a military service academy may not be required to give up his or her parental guardianship rights in the event of a pregnancy occurring after the beginning of the cadet's or midshipman's first day of academic courses2 7#b7 except as provided under subsection 7c71 military service academy may not dis-enroll a cadet or midshipman who becomes pregnant or fathers a child while enrolled at the academy2 and 7#c7 a cadet or midshipman who becomes pregnant while enrolled at a military service academy shall be allowed to take leave for up to one year and return to the academy to resume classes afterward4 7c7 ,responsibilities of parents enrolled at military service academies ,the regulations prescribed under subsection 7a7 shall require cadets and midshipmen with dependents to establish a family care plan with appropriate academy leadership4 ,the family care plan shall include the following provisions3 7#a7 ,the care plan must include a full-time provider responsible for the dependent who is not enrolled at the military service academy1 as another parent or guardian of the dependent or a family member of the cadet or midshipman4 ,the full-time care provider must have either full power-of-attorney authority or guardianship rights in order to prevent situations where the cadet or midshipman is pulled away from his or her duties and responsibilities at the military service academy4 ,the cadet or midshipman may not rely on base facilities or child-care services1 and must be able to function as any other cadet1 including residing in academy dormitories4 7#b7 ,except as provided under subsection 7d71 the cadet or midshipman may not receive additional benefits or concessions from the military service academy on account of having a dependent1 such as money or time off4 7#c7 ,a cadet or midshipman with a dependent may not be excused on account of such dependent from standard classes1 training1 traveling1 fitness requirements1 or any other responsibilities inherent to attending a military service academy4 7#d7 ,if both parents of a dependent are cadets or midshipmen1 they must agree on the family care plan or face expulsion 7with no incurred obligations74 7d7 ,options for pregnant cadets and midshipmen ,the regulations prescribed under subsection 7a7 shall provide that females becoming pregnant while enrolled at a military service academy shall have1 at a minimum1 the following options3 7#a7 ,at the conclusion of the current semester or when otherwise deemed medically appropriate1 taking leave from the military service academy for up to one year followed by a return to full cadet or midshipman status4 7#b7 ,full release from the military service academy and any related obligations4 7#c7 ,enlistment in active-duty service1 with all of the attendant benefits4 7e7 ,treatment of males fathering a child while enrolled at military service academies ,the regulations prescribed under subsection 7a7 shall provide that males fathering a child while enrolled at a military service academy-- 7#a7 shall not be required to give up parental rights2 and 7#b7 shall not acquire any benefits or leave considerations as a result of fathering a child1 except that-- 7,a7 academy leadership shall establish policies to allow cadets and midshipmen at least one week of leave to attend the birth1 which must be used in conjunction with the birth2 and 7,b7 in the event the male father becomes the sole financial provider for a dependent1 the academy shall provide the father the same options available to a cadet or midshipman who becomes a mother while enrolled1 including remaining enrolled in accordance with a family care plan established pursuant to subsection 7c7 or selecting one of the options outlined in paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d7 of subsection 7d74 7f7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring or providing for the changing of admission requirements at any of the military service academies4 #c4 ,military service academy defined ,in this ,act1 the term military service academy means the following3 7#a7 ,the ,united ,states ,military ,academy1 ,west ,point1 ,new ,york4 7#b7 ,the ,united ,states ,naval ,academy1 ,annapolis1 ,maryland4 7#c7 ,the ,united ,states ,air ,force ,academy1 ,colorado ,springs1 ,colorado4 7#d7 ,the ,united ,states ,coast ,guard ,academy1 ,new ,london1 ,connecticut4 7#e7 ,the ,united ,states ,merchant ,marine ,academy1 ,kings ,point1 ,new ,york4