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HD 3614

An Act protecting public higher education student information

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Moran

Massachusetts bill establishing data protection standards for student information at public higher education institutions with breach notification requirements.

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Bill Summary · HD 3614

Legislative bill overview

HD 3614 would establish protections for student information held by Massachusetts public higher education institutions. The bill creates requirements for how universities and colleges collect, use, store, and share personal data about students. It also likely establishes notification procedures if student data is breached or misused.

Why this is important

Student records contain sensitive personal information—social security numbers, financial details, health records, and academic performance—that could facilitate identity theft or other harms if compromised. Clear statutory protections establish baseline standards across all public campuses and give students legal recourse if institutions fail to safeguard their data.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and definitions: Disagreement over what constitutes "student information" and which data sharing activities require explicit consent versus institutional necessity
  • Compliance burden: Higher education administrators may argue stringent requirements increase operational costs and IT infrastructure expenses
  • Third-party sharing: Tension between student privacy rights and institutional needs to share data with government agencies, accreditors, law enforcement, and educational vendors
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Questions about whether violations result in civil penalties, student lawsuits, or regulatory agency enforcement, and whether penalties are proportionate

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

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