Ohio Senate Bill 29: Student Data Privacy
We would like to inform you about the recent passage of Senate Bill 29 (SB29), which will take effect on October 24, 2024. This new law establishes important safeguards for student privacy, especially concerning the use of school-issued devices.
Below are some key points:
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Privacy Protections: Schools and technology providers are prohibited from tracking students' locations, monitoring audio or visual features, or tracking their online activities (such as web browsing or keystrokes) on school-issued devices, unless in limited, specified circumstances. These include instructional purposes, technical support, or emergencies.
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Parental Notification: If the District needs to monitor or access a student's device for one of the permitted reasons, families will receive advance notice, or in the case of an emergency or stolen device, notification will occur within 72 hours. The District will send an email communication to families every three days, in accordance with the new Senate Bill 29.
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Technology Provider Contracts: We are also updating our contracts with technology providers to ensure that student data is handled securely, not shared for commercial purposes and that records are properly protected. Click the link below to view the list of PLSD technology vendors, their contracts, and the student data shared with them (refer to page 11, under the agreement type column): https://sdpc.a4l.org/district_search_national.php?districtID=5004.
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Ongoing Compliance: Please note that the District has NOT implemented any new or changed monitoring services. The District will continue to follow all applicable state and federal laws, such as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), to ensure a safe and secure online environment for our students. This notice is a new requirement per Ohio Senate Bill 29 (“SB29”), which was passed by the Ohio General Assembly at the end of June 2024, signed by Governor DeWine on July 24, 2024, and became effective on October 24, 2024.
GoGuardian Parent App
In the coming days, the District will communicate about the new GoGuardian Parent App, a mobile app designed to provide you with insight and control over your student’s online activity on school-managed devices and websites. This app is a powerful tool to keep you informed and knowledgeable about your child's digital learning journey.
We are committed to maintaining student privacy while providing the necessary tools for learning.
