Student Privacy Protection Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Jul 2015): Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
What this bill does
This bill, H.R. 3157, known as the Student Privacy Protection Act, aims to update and strengthen privacy protections for student education records. It would require educational institutions and state educational authorities to establish information security practices and create policies for notifying parents if a student's records are breached or a security violation occurs. The bill also expands the definition of "education records" to include those maintained digitally or accessible by service providers.
The legislation would affect students, parents, and educational institutions across the country. It outlines specific conditions under which student records can be shared without parental consent, such as with authorized government officials for audits and evaluations, or with education service providers under strict written agreements. Additionally, it clarifies how college exam developers can use information collected during or from exams and modifies rules regarding the disclosure of disciplinary proceedings and registered sex offender information. The bill also includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance by educational agencies and institutions.
H.R. 3157 was introduced in the House of Representatives in July 2015. As of the provided information, its latest action was simply being introduced, meaning it has not yet passed either chamber of Congress or been signed into law. If it were to move forward, it would typically be considered by relevant committees, potentially undergo amendments, and then be voted on by the full House and Senate before potentially being sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Student Privacy Protection Act
Amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to require educational agencies or institutions and state educational authorities to establish: (1) information security practices to protect students' education records and personally identifiable information, and (2) breach notification policies to notify parents of breaches or security violations.
Expands the definition of "education records" to include student records that are: (1) maintained electronically or digitally; (2) accessible or collected by service providers, contractors, or other parties; or (3) created by or for a state educational authority, without regard to whether the student attends a school under the jurisdiction of such state educational authority.
Allows educational agencies or institutions to disclose education records without parental consent to education service providers, contractors, or other parties to whom institutional services have been outsourced, provided that the party agrees to secure information from unauthorized access and be subject to penalties for violations.
Permits disclosure of education records without parental consent to authorized representatives of the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Education (ED), state or local educational authorities, or the Department of Justice (DOJ) for: (1) audits, evaluations, or enforcement of local, state, or federal laws; (2) audits or evaluations of locally supported, state supported, or federally supported education programs pursuant to local, state, or federal laws; or (3) enforcement of federal or state legal requirements related to such programs.
Removes restrictions on disclosures to state and local authorities to whom information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosed pursuant to a state statute regarding the juvenile justice system.
Limits the types of studies that organizations may conduct with student records disclosed without parental consent to studies used to improve academic outcomes of students attending the educational agency or institution.
Establishes conditions under which college exam developers may release information collected during or based on the administration of an exam for college admissions, placements, credits, or scholarships.
Timeline
22 Jul 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3157 do?
- This bill, H.R. 3157, known as the Student Privacy Protection Act, aims to update and strengthen privacy protections for student education records. It would require educational institutions and state educational authorities to establish information security practices and create policies for notifying parents if a student's records are breached or a security violation occurs. The bill also expands the definition of "education records" to include those maintained digitally or accessible by service providers. The legislation would affect students, parents, and educational institutions across the country. It outlines specific conditions under which student records can be shared without parental consent, such as with authorized government officials for audits and evaluations, or with education service providers under strict written agreements. Additionally, it clarifies how college exam developers can use information collected during or from exams and modifies rules regarding the disclosure of disciplinary proceedings and registered sex offender information. The bill also includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance by educational agencies and institutions. H.R. 3157 was introduced in the House of Representatives in July 2015. As of the provided information, its latest action was simply being introduced, meaning it has not yet passed either chamber of Congress or been signed into law. If it were to move forward, it would typically be considered by relevant committees, potentially undergo amendments, and then be voted on by the full House and Senate before potentially being sent to the President.
- Has H.R. 3157 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3157. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3157?
- H.R. 3157 was sponsored by Rep. Rokita, Todd [R-IN-4] (R-IN), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3157?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. (22 Jul 2015).
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