Texas Senate Bill SB1856

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to confidentiality of student records.

Impact

If enacted, SB1856 would formally codify the confidentiality status of education records within Texas law, aligning with federal privacy standards established by FERPA. This includes not only current students but also applicants for admission, enhancing protections for student records and limiting access to designated individuals such as institution personnel, parents, or legal guardians. The anticipated outcome of this legislation is to strengthen the privacy rights of students and potentially affect how educational institutions manage and protect sensitive information.

Summary

SB1856, related to the confidentiality of student records, aims to amend the existing provisions concerning the accessibility of education records maintained by state-funded educational institutions. In particular, the bill references the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and emphasizes that information constituting education records is to be treated as confidential. This change seeks to bolster the protections around student information, ensuring that sensitive data remains safeguarded from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Contention

While the bill primarily focuses on increasing confidentiality, there may be points of contention regarding the balance between educational transparency and privacy. Advocates of the bill argue that stronger confidentiality measures are vital for protecting student information, particularly in an age where data breaches are prevalent. Conversely, some stakeholders may express concerns about the potential limitations on access to important educational data that could impinge on accountability or transparency in educational institutions.