Connecticut House Bill HB06832

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/17
• Refer: 1/25/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Incarcerated Parent's Access To A Student's Educational Records.

Impact

The implementation of HB06832 would represent a significant shift in educational policy concerning the rights of incarcerated parents. By requiring educational institutions to actively provide report cards and potentially other educational records to parents behind bars, the bill supports the notion that maintaining parental involvement is crucial for student success. This would help empower incarcerated individuals by keeping them informed about their children's academic progress and potentially enhancing their ability to support their education remotely.

Summary

House Bill HB06832 aims to enhance the accessibility of educational records for incarcerated parents or guardians regarding their children. The focus of the bill is to amend existing laws under chapter 170 of the general statutes, ensuring that local or regional boards of education are mandated to provide copies of students' report cards to their parents or guardians who are incarcerated. This legislative measure seeks to bridge communication gaps between parents in prison and their children, thereby fostering a connection that may contribute positively to the educational experience of the child.

Contention

Notably, while the bill seeks to support familial bonds, it may raise questions about privacy and parental rights versus the operational capability of school districts. Concerns may be voiced regarding how these institutions will manage the distribution of sensitive information and how they will maintain compliance with federal regulations like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). Furthermore, stakeholders may debate resource implications for school districts in administratively accommodating this requirement, as well as the overall effectiveness of such a policy in truly benefiting the educational trajectories of children with incarcerated parents.