Brief Description: Minimizing the release of information in student directories.

Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Quall, Hunt, Lantz, Darneille, Kenney, Nixon, Hasegawa and Santos.

Hearing Date: 1/30/06

Staff: Sarah Ream (786-7303).

Background:

Federal law requires schools and school districts that receive federal funds to provide, upon the request by a military recruiter or institution of higher education, access to secondary students names, addresses and telephone listings.

However, the federal law also provides that a student or parent may "opt-out" of having the student's information released to recruiters. To opt-out, the student or parent must notify the school that the student's information is not to be released. The school is directed to comply with the request.

Summary of Bill:

By September 1, 2006, every school district must have adopted a policy that requires a separate notice to be given to high school students and their parents or guardians regarding their right to "opt-out" of having the student's directory information released to various categories of recruiters.

The notice provided by the school district must do three things. First, it must be provided in English and in any other languages the school normally uses to send district-wide notices to students, parents, and guardians. Second, the notice must distinguish between categories of recruiters. At a minimum, the categories must include (1) higher education recruiters and employers and (2) military recruiters. And third, the notice must inform students, parents, and guardians that if they do not request the student's directory information be withheld by the 30th day of the new school year, the school may release the student's information to recruiter if requested to do so. The school district must send this notice to parents or guardians and students each new school year.

A district may not release student directory information to recruiters after the last day of the school year or before the 45th day of the next school year, unless the district has received express written consent from the parent, guardian or student to do so.

School districts are required to adopt procedures for taking appropriate actions with regard to recruiters who engage in dishonest, unscrupulous or deceptive recruiting practices.

"Directory information" is defined to include a student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and most recent school attended. "Recruiter" is defined to mean anyone who solicits a student to attend a particular educational institution, work for a particular employer, or join the military.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.