Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB655

Introduced
2/20/25  

Caption

In preliminary provisions, providing for student data security.

Impact

The bill establishes formal guidelines that school entities must follow to ensure the protection of personally identifiable information (PII) related to students. It defines PII broadly, encompassing various types of information, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and other identifiers. This move is significant as it aims to standardize data security practices across educational institutions, potentially reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring proper handling of sensitive student information.

Summary

House Bill 655 aims to enhance student data security within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by amending the Public School Code of 1949. This legislation mandates the Department of Education to collaborate with the Office of Information Technology to develop a model data security plan for schools. The plan is intended to be updated annually and should include guidelines for data access, privacy compliance standards, and protocols for responding to data breaches.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 655 appears supportive, particularly among education advocates and parents concerned about the implications of data privacy in schools. The emphasis on developing a cohesive security plan signifies a proactive approach to addressing the increasing concerns over student data breaches and privacy violations. Yet, there may be caution around the implementation costs and the capacity of schools to meet the new requirements.

Contention

One notable point of contention might arise over the feasibility of implementing the model data security plan within existing budget constraints of school entities. Additionally, the requirement for ongoing updates and the appointment of a chief data security officer could lead to discussions regarding resource allocation and the readiness of schools to adhere to these new regulations. The bill's success in enhancing security will likely be scrutinized against the backdrop of practical challenges in different school environments.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1987

In preliminary provisions, providing for student data security.

PA SB565

In preliminary provisions, providing for student data privacy and protection; imposing duties on the Department of Education; and providing for penalties.

PA HB845

In preliminary provisions, providing for restorative approaches for student discipline.

PA HB1997

In preliminary provisions, providing for nondiscrimination awareness and prevention policy.

PA HB1708

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, providing for educational oversight for students in facilities, further providing for possession of weapons prohibited and providing for school stability for certain students; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for reporting and establishing the School-Based Diversion Programs Fund; in school security, further providing for powers and duties and providing for limitations on proceedings and arrest; and, in school districts of the first class, repealing provisions relating to placement of certain adjudicated students.

PA SB569

In preliminary provisions, providing for mandate waiver program.

PA HB1555

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, providing for educational oversight for juveniles in facilities, further providing for possession of weapons prohibited and providing for placement of certain adjudicated students; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for reporting and providing for School-Based Diversion Programs Fund; in school security, further providing for powers and duties and providing for limitations on proceedings and arrest; and, in school districts of the first class, repealing provisions relating to placement of certain adjudicated students.

PA HB2007

In preliminary provisions, providing for requiring students to take academic assessments online.

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

PA HB1331

In preliminary provisions, providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; and establishing the Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.