Senators debate LB31 transparency directive for student-surveillance and education tech; amendments sought to protect security details

The Nebraska Legislature on the thirtieth day of the 100th Legislaturefirst session opened extended debate on LB31, a bill that would direct the State Board of Education to develop a model policy requiring school districts to inventory surveillance and student-monitoring technology, disclose vendor contracts and describe data-collection practices.

Proponents said the measure is a transparency tool aimed at giving parents and taxpayers basic information about what digital tools schools use, how those tools collect and store data and whether parents may opt out. "Parents should and deserve to be put in the driver's seat of their child's education," said Senator Megan Conrad, the bill's sponsor, who told colleagues LB31 carries no fiscal note and advanced unanimously from committee.

Supporters, including Senator Merman, said the bill does not ban technology or force districts to stop using security equipment; instead, it asks the state board to propose a uniform policy so parents can see what tools are in use and how student data are handled.

Opponents cautioned that LB31 as drafted could require schools to publish sensitive security information…