ATLANTA (March 2, 2012) – The Georgia Senate passed SB 405 unanimously in the Senate on Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), this legislation ensures private institutions are not held liable for potential breaches in confidentiality, involving transferred student records, as a result of actions by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and its employees.
“I am pleased by the passage of SB 405 in the Senate today,” said Sen. Miller. “It is only right to make sure once these records are no longer in the schools possession – whether public or private – the institution cannot be found liable for someone else’s breach of trust.”
Under Georgia law, public universities are currently protected against potential breaches of confidentiality regarding the disclosure of student records. SB 405 would simply offer the same protections and rights to Georgia’s private colleges and universities.
According to this bill, student records would be transferred to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement for periodic audits to assess student achievement and review school records. The Office of Student Achievement is also responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of local school initiatives aimed at advancing scholastic achievement.
According to Georgia Student Finance Commission, there are 28 private post-secondary institutions in the State of Georgia.
SB 405 will now travel to the House of Representatives for a vote.
RELEASE
March 5, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Shawna Mercer,Sr. Communications Specialist
shawna.mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028