H 4653
An Act protecting public higher education student information
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
This bill aims to strengthen the privacy of student information at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. It prohibits these institutions from releasing education records, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), unless specifically requested by federal, state, or municipal agencies. The bill also clarifies that certain student information designated as ‘directory information’ by the colleges and universities is also protected. This legislation reinforces student data protection within the higher education system.
Key provisions
- Prohibits public colleges and universities from releasing education records under FERPA.
- Protects student information designated as ‘directory information’.
- Allows disclosures only to federal, state, and municipal agencies.
- Updates Chapter 66 of the General Laws to include these protections.
- Addresses records defined as education records under FERPA.
- Specifically references 20 USC 1232g and 34 CFR § 99.3.
Who is affected
- Massachusetts public colleges and universities
- Students attending Massachusetts public colleges and universities
- Federal, state, and municipal agencies
- Joint Committee on Higher Education
Notable changes
- Expands existing privacy protections for student education records.
- Clarifies the definition of ‘directory information’ as protected.
- Specifically references federal and state privacy laws (FERPA and 20 USC 1232g).
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Cosponsor
Michael J. Moran
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Bill H.4653 194th (Current)
An Act protecting public higher education student information
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Bill Information
Bill Information
Sponsor: Joint Committee on Higher Education Status: Referred to House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading
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Bill History Cosponsors Committee Vote Committee Summary
Bill History
Displaying 6 actions for Bill H.4653
| Date | Branch | Action |
| 10/27/2025 | House | Reported from the committee on Higher Education |
| 10/27/2025 | House | New draft of H1451 |
| 10/27/2025 | House | Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Steering, Policy and Scheduling |
| 11/13/2025 | House | Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting |
| 11/13/2025 | House | Rules suspended |
| 11/13/2025 | House | Read second and ordered to a third reading |
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