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SF 710

Public postsecondary institutions requirement to keep certain student information private establishment; consent requirement before collecting student location data

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eric Lucero

Minnesota bill requires public colleges to get explicit student consent before collecting location data and protects certain student information from institutional use.

Referred to Higher Education
#datapracticesandprivacy #education-higher #government-state
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Bill Summary · SF 710

Legislative bill overview

SF 710 establishes requirements for Minnesota public postsecondary institutions to keep certain student information private and mandates that institutions obtain explicit consent before collecting student location data. The bill creates a framework where students have control over the use of their location information by their educational institutions.

Why is this important

As educational institutions increasingly use technology to track attendance, campus movement, and student behavior, this bill addresses growing privacy concerns about surveillance capabilities on campuses. The requirement for affirmative consent establishes a student privacy baseline and may influence how colleges use mobile apps, ID card systems, and other location-tracking technologies that are becoming standard in higher education.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language regarding "certain student information" may be unclear about what categories qualify as sensitive, potentially creating enforcement challenges or loopholes
  • Institutional burden vs. student benefit: Colleges may argue compliance creates administrative costs and limits legitimate safety features (emergency alerts, building access), while privacy advocates may view this as insufficient protection
  • Consent mechanics: Unclear whether "consent" can be bundled into broad technology agreements or requires separate, granular approval for each location-tracking system, affecting practical implementation

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

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