Bills To Protect Student Data Advance In Legislature

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Student data would be protected under legislation progressing in the Michigan Legislature.

The Senate voted unanimously Wednesday for two bills the sponsor says are designed to safeguard students' privacy and regulate how data is stored.

The legislation would prohibit the state and school districts from selling personally identifiable information in student education records to pro-profit businesses. Another bill would bar websites and online services from disclosing student information unless it's for legal, regulatory, judicial or safety reasons.

Republican Sen. Phil Pavlov of St. Clair says students deserve a "safe online environment ... without fearing their personal information will be exploited or used for the wrong reasons."

The bills go to the House for consideration.

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