Bill would build centralized student records to improve education continuity for children in out‑of‑home placement

State and local advocates urged the Joint Committee to support Senate Bill 2585, which would require an electronic centralized education records database for children in out‑of‑home placements so school staff, child‑welfare agencies and courts can coordinate quickly when a student moves placements. Senator Mike Moore, sponsor of the bill, said gaps in communication lead to students arriving at new schools without staff knowing their IEPs or placement histories. “The lack of communication caused by their outdated system consistently leads to students being enrolled in a school without any staff being aware of this situation at home,” he said.

The bill would direct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Children and Families and local education agencies to work together to create individual electronic files that follow students on transfer, ensure immediate notification of placement changes, and require regular review of the system for accountability. Wheatley Gollney of the Ed Law Project described cases in which schools were the only stable contact for children after removal but learned of placement only belatedly; timely data sharing would allow schools to offer supports earlier.

Witnesses noted other states, including Washington and Nebraska, have created real‑time data exchanges that reduce administrative burden and protect privacy through interagency agreements. Supporters urged a favorable report and recommended including privacy safeguards and a phased technical implementation plan to protect records and ensure local schools can act on the information.