A bill that would provide universities with services to aid future or current college-student parents is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives and is expected to be voted on later this year.

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., recently announced his support for the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act of 2005.

The bill will provide universities with housing designed for families, local child care and education supporting family lifestyles and values, Santorum spokesman Robert Traynham said.

"It is important for parenting students to get help. It will help them balance the pressures of schools and parenting," Traynham said. "With the student services ... they are more likely to finish college. The main purpose is to get students support and an education."

The bill was introduced last November and is pending in the U.S. Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The bill, originally supported by Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., is expected to be passed later this year, Traynham said.

Santorum hopes to have the bill passed as soon as possible, Traynham said, especially since there is currently no other bill like it.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said he is unsure how Penn State will participate with the program if the bill is passed because he is unaware of the details.

He added that Penn State already has "highly regarded" child care facilities for faculty and students, but there is a waiting list for these services.

"I think this is a really good idea," Vicky Cangelosi, Penn State College Republicans chairwoman, said. "Just because there is an unexpected pregnancy doesn't mean they should have less opportunities education-wise."

James Marshall (sophomore-civil engineering) said he thinks the bill is a good option, but he is unsure of its effectiveness.

"There are other factors and circumstances that contribute to people keeping or not keeping their child and coming to school," he said.

Feminists for Life President Serrin Foster said as a group, she and other members encourage Santorum's support of the bill but say the motives for the bill are simply about a student's education and needs while parenting.

"It is not a debate about abortion -- it is about the rest of the choices when having children," Foster said through a voicemail message.

Bob Shepherd, Centre County Democratic Committee chairman, said he believes this proposal is a good idea if it is in the interests of student education.

"It is always a good idea for assistance to students in need and encouraging their education," Shepherd said. "But if it is really about Santorum's hard right-winged constituency, I think it is misguided."

Penn State College Democrats President Alex Smith said that although there are some advantages to the bill, it does not address both sides of the equation. "It does not discuss the important issues many women have, which is, 'Do I have the child or not?' " They need to keep in mind those having an abortion need support as well," Smith said. "There is also need for the mental health care and social care."

Penn State's Students for Life are expecting only good things to come from this bill, the organization's president, Ryan Kasun, said.

"This bill is saying, 'We can help you,' " Kasun said. "We have to be there for the women. We are trying to take a loving approach to both women and their children."

Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance President Meghan Ochs said she believes positive things will follow if the bill is passed.

"Pro-choice and pro-life groups both agree that we should limit the number of abortions. No one encourages people to have an abortion," she said.

Ochs said she thinks women will be less likely to turn to having an abortion if there are good resources nearby to help them with their pregnancy.

Calls placed to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., were not returned by press time.