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S 364

An Act establishing privacy standards for student and educator data

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Barry Finegold and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill S 364 establishes privacy standards requiring schools to secure student and educator data, limit third-party sharing, and notify parents of data practices.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 364

Legislative bill overview

S 364 establishes comprehensive privacy protections for student and educator data in Massachusetts schools, setting standards for how educational institutions collect, use, share, and store personal information. The bill creates requirements for data security practices, parental notification, and limits on third-party access to sensitive educational records.

Why is this important

Schools collect vast amounts of personal data on students and staff—from academic records to biometric information—and increasingly share this data with technology vendors and other organizations. Without clear privacy standards, this information can be misused, sold, or compromised through data breaches, affecting minors who cannot easily protect themselves.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definitions: Disagreement over what counts as "sensitive" student data and whether the bill covers all vendors (educational technology companies, contractors, etc.)
  • Implementation costs: Schools may claim compliance requires significant spending on new systems, security infrastructure, and staff training
  • Parental consent vs. operational necessity: Balancing parent rights to know about data use against schools' need to operate efficiently and use data for legitimate educational purposes
  • Vendor industry impact: EdTech companies may argue strict data restrictions limit their ability to provide services, conduct research, or develop educational tools

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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