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Student Records Protection Act
12/31/2022, 5:05 AM
Summary of Bill HR 4596
The Student Records Protection Act aims to establish clear guidelines for educational institutions on how to handle and safeguard student records. This includes implementing strict security measures to prevent unauthorized access to student data, as well as limiting the sharing of this information with third parties.
Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance transparency and accountability in the handling of student records by requiring educational institutions to inform students and their parents of their rights regarding the privacy of their information. This includes providing individuals with the ability to access and review their own records, as well as the option to request corrections or updates to any inaccuracies. Overall, the Student Records Protection Act is designed to ensure that student information is handled responsibly and ethically, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the privacy and security of students' personal data. This bill is currently under review in Congress and may undergo further revisions before potentially being passed into law.
Congressional Summary of HR 4596
Student Records Protection Act
This bill revises the requirements for an accrediting agency to be recognized by the Department of Education (ED) as a reliable authority on the quality of education being offered at an institution of higher education (IHE). It also requires an IHE to establish a records management plan for accreditation purposes.
Specifically, an accrediting agency must require an IHE to submit for approval a records management plan upon notification by the IHE that it intends to cease its operations. The plan must include a plan for the custody, continued access, and disposition of student records (e.g., student transcripts, billing, and financial-aid records). Further, the IHE must submit the plan to ED.
Under current law, an IHE must be accredited by an accrediting agency to participate in federal student-aid programs.
