Senate approves student‑records change, sparking privacy concerns from one senator

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate approved House Bill 128 on third reading, changing how school systems maintain certain student records related to bullying and suicidal behavior.

Senator Milner, speaking for the bill, said the original statute required a separate database that proved expensive for districts; the substitute removes the separate‑database requirement, requires FERPA‑compliant recordkeeping instead and adds an expungement right for students after graduation. “What this does is take out the requirement for a separate database, but says that they will keep these records, establishing FERPA as the standard for record keeping,” Milner said.

During roll call, Senator Madison asked to explain her no vote from committee and said she worried about record manipulation: “My problem is with the record keeping and the ability to manipulate those records over time…perhaps even to allow for a particular special interest or agitators to gin up reports,” she said, explaining why she remained unconvinced by changes and voted no.

The Senate recorded final passage: House Bill 128 passed 23 yeas to 6 nays and will be sent to the House for further consideration.

Supporters said the change reduces administrative cost and preserves student privacy under FERPA while allowing expungement after graduation; opponents urged stricter safeguards on retention and use of sensitive student records.

The transcript shows the sponsor’s explanation, the floor votes and Senator Madison’s on‑record concerns about recordkeeping practices.