2003S0211-1 02/05/03


By:  Williams                                                     S.B. No. 448


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the release of certain student information by public 
schools.   
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding 
Section 26.013 to read as follows:
	Sec. 26.013.  STUDENT DIRECTORY INFORMATION.  (a)  A school 
district shall provide to the parent of each district student at the 
beginning of each school year or on enrollment of the student after 
the beginning of a school year:
		(1)  a written explanation of the provisions of the 
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 
Section 1232g), as amended, regarding the release of directory 
information about the student; and
		(2)  written notice of the right of the parent to object 
to the release of directory information about the student under the 
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 
Section 1232g), as amended.
	(b)  The notice required by Subsection (a)(2) must contain:             
		(1)  the following statement in at least 14-point 
boldface type:     

"Certain information about district students is 
considered directory information and will be released 
to anyone who follows procedures for requesting it 
unless the parent or guardian objects to the release of 
directory information about the student.  This 
objection must be made in writing to the principal 
within 10 school days after the issuance of this 
notice."; and
		(2)  at the bottom of the notice, a printed box 
containing the following:

"I oppose the release of directory information for the 
following student:                        .

Signed _______________                  Printed Name _______________

(Parent or Guardian)".                                                 
	(c)  In this section, "directory information" has the 
meaning assigned by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 
of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g), as amended.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.