Senator Steve Huffman Statement on New Law Protecting Student Privacy

COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) provided the following update after Senate Bill 29 became effective on October 24th: 

This law is needed now more than ever as our students face more threats from a global online presence. Technology is part of our lives, and in many ways, more prevalent in our children’s lives. I have grown increasingly convinced that we must ensure student actions online are appropriately protected. Tech companies should not be able to use their access to school devices to capture our kids’ data, target them, or sell their data to third parties. Senate Bill 29 makes several changes that boost student privacy laws in Ohio. There is more work to do, as the threats are always evolving. One item in this law that does need to be revised is the process of providing family notice when schools or tech companies interact with a student’s school-issued device. I am aware of the issue and working with educators and my fellow members of the legislature to address this matter over the next few weeks while continuing to ensure that our children’s privacy is respected. 

Senate Bill 29 was introduced in January 2023 and received multiple hearings in the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives prior to being enacted this summer.  The bill established new protections safeguarding the use of educational records and student data by technology providers and school districts in Ohio classrooms. You can learn more about the legislation here.