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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	January 23, 2017 08:51 AM
From:	Representative Kristin Hill
To:	All House members
Subject:	The Student Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2017

Protecting the privacy of our students’ personal data from unauthorized or inappropriate disclosure is important and worthy of our effort. A few examples from the media of harm resulting from unauthorized or inappropriate use include: students’ personal information posted on-line; health care providers inappropriately accessing student information for the purpose of marketing services to parents; Google mining more than 30 million student emails sent through its Apps for Education service for advertising ideas; and a school district in Pennsylvania installing laptop tracking software which was used to surreptitiously capture images of students in their homes. Introduction of computers into our school systems, along with new educational technologies and Federal reporting mandates, have dramatically increased the amount of student-related data being generated, collected, and stored within our schools. Computer-related technologies to facilitate personalized learning, target instruction based on identified needs, and evaluate instructional methods have proven to be very useful. Yet at the same time these advances have increased the risks to students and their parents of inappropriate access to, and disclosure of, a student’s personal information. While Congress has made a start in addressing student data privacy concerns through the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and subsequent legislation, both state and federal statutory protections have not kept pace with student data privacy concerns generated by introduction of new computer adaptive technologies. Federal student privacy laws do not apply to a significant amount of student data that our schools amass, and may not apply to student information that private companies collect and maintain in support of our schools. This bill addresses these concerns and provides a solid foundation for protecting the privacy of student data in the Commonwealth. The bill defines student data, who owns the data, who can correct records, the responsibilities of state and local education entities in protecting student data privacy, and the designation and responsibilities of a chief data privacy officer within the Department of Education. Moreover, the bill provides policies and protections for the collection, use and safeguarding of student data; specific prohibitions on collection, reporting, and use of certain data; disclosure guidance; procedures to follow in case of a security breach; third party responsibilities; and enforcement and penalty provisions. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation to protect our student’s data. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Evans by phone at (717) 783-8389 or by email at lmevans@pahousegop.com.

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