| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Education Committee | |
HB 2026
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Regarding recruiter access to student records.
Sponsors: Representatives Santos, McDermott, Haigh, P. Sullivan, Ericks, Simpson, Ormsby and Hasegawa.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/16/07
Staff: Anne Woodward (786-7119).
Background:
The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits schools from
releasing student education records without parental consent. An exception allows schools to
release student directory information, such as a student's name, address, and telephone number,
provided that the schools give the students' parents a reasonable time to inform the school that
the information should not be released without parental consent.
Federal law also requires schools and school districts that receive federal funds to provide, upon
request by a military recruiter, access to secondary students' names, addresses, and telephone
numbers. A student or parent may opt-out of having the student's information released to
recruiters by notifying the school that the student's information is not to be released. Schools
must notify parents of the opt-out option and comply with any requests. The law also requires
school districts that receive federal funds to provide military recruiters with the same access to
high school students that the school generally grants to institutions of higher education or to
prospective employers of the students.
There are also state requirements that apply to school districts that allow prospective employers
and recruiters from postsecondary institutions to have access to the school campus and to student
information. Under Washington law, these school districts must allow the same access to
military recruiters.
Summary of Bill:
Any school or school district that allows military recruiters to have access to students or student
records must provide the same type of access to recruiters and representatives of the Job Corps,
Peace Corps, and Americorps. Schools may only release student or family information as
permitted by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.