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HB 127

Permit schools to withhold directory information

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Mathews and 1 co-sponsor

Ohio HB 127 shifts schools from automatic public disclosure to requiring parental opt-in for releasing basic student directory information, enhancing privacy but potentially reducing community access.

Referred to committee
#education #primaryandsecondaryeducation
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Bill Summary · HB 127

Legislative bill overview

HB 127 would allow Ohio schools to withhold "directory information" about students from public access, rather than requiring automatic disclosure. Directory information typically includes basic details like names, addresses, phone numbers, and enrollment status. The bill gives schools discretionary authority to keep this information private unless parents explicitly request its release.

Why is this important

Schools currently operate under federal FERPA regulations that allow directory information disclosure by default. This bill shifts the default to privacy, giving families more control over what personal details are publicly available about their children. This could affect school directories, public announcements, sports rosters, and other routine disclosures that parents may or may not want published.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. transparency trade-off: While enhanced privacy protects students, it may reduce community engagement and make it harder for schools to communicate with families, conduct outreach, or maintain traditional school directories
  • Implementation burden: Schools would need new systems to track which families have requested information disclosure, potentially creating administrative costs and complexity
  • Inconsistent access: Different families could have different levels of information visibility, which might create confusion or fairness concerns about whose information is available to the public

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

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