Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

Texas House Bill HB2538

Filed
 
Introduced
3/8/11  
Out of House Committee
4/6/11  
Voted on by House
4/25/11  
Refer
3/15/11  
Out of Senate Committee
5/13/11  
Report Pass
4/5/11  
Voted on by Senate
5/19/11  
Engrossed
4/25/11  
Governor Action
6/17/11  
Refer
5/4/11  
Bill Becomes Law
 
Report Pass
5/13/11  
Enrolled
5/21/11  
Enrolled
5/21/11  
Passed
6/17/11  

Caption

Relating to the confidentiality of certain identifying information regarding students of career schools or colleges and other educational entities; providing a criminal penalty.

Impact

The implications of HB2538 are centered on the protection of student data. By designating student information as confidential and instituting criminal penalties for unauthorized use or disclosure, the bill aims to foster trust among students regarding the handling of their personal data. For educational institutions, this bill necessitates stricter compliance measures to protect sensitive information from being mishandled, thus influencing their administrative processes.

Summary

House Bill 2538 focuses on enhancing the confidentiality of personal identifying information related to students enrolled in career schools, colleges, and other educational institutions. The bill defines 'student information' to include identifiable details such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and education records. A significant aspect of this legislation is that student information is classified as non-public data under the context of government transparency laws.

Contention

Beyond its protective intent, the bill may raise questions about the balance between the need for transparency in educational oversight and the imperative of securing personal data. Stakeholders could express concerns about how these new regulations might complicate transparency efforts regarding institutional accountability. Furthermore, discussions may surface regarding the specific scope of the permissible uses of student information and how penalties could deter misuse without hindering legitimate educational practices.

Companion Bills

TX SB711

Identical Relating to the confidentiality of certain identifying information regarding students of career schools or colleges and other educational entities; providing a criminal penalty.

Previously Filed As

TX SB1754

Relating to certain restrictions on the use of personally identifiable information pertaining to a public school student by an operator or educational entity.

TX SB928

Relating to the protection of personally identifiable student information and the use of covered information by an operator or educational entity; authorizing a civil and administrative penalty.

TX HB3005

Relating to the confidentiality of identifying information of victims of certain offenses.

TX HB2920

Relating to the distribution, posting, or provision of information regarding postsecondary education and career opportunities and to the confidentiality of certain information relating to persons provided assistance in accessing postsecondary education.

TX HB2721

Relating to accelerated and supplemental instruction provided to public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments and access to criminal history record information for certain tutors providing that instruction.

TX HB1402

Relating to the criminal penalties for certain criminal offenses.

TX HB3928

Relating to dyslexia evaluations and services for public school students, the provision of services for students with dyslexia and related disorders, and certain parental notice regarding the rights of parents of public school students with disabilities.

TX HB516

Relating to requiring a school district or open-enrollment charter school to report data regarding certain disciplinary or law enforcement actions taken against students.

TX SB1014

Relating to restrictions on the use and disclosure of certain genetic material and genetic information; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB1626

Relating to a public school student's transition from an alternative education program to a regular educational environment, including parental rights related to that transition, and the admission of certain students with a criminal or disciplinary history.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.