Senate committee concurs on SB 291 amendment adding data‑privacy language for community schools

The Senate Education Committee on the second day of its session voted to concur in an amendment to Senate Bill 291 that adds data‑privacy language for community schools.

Senator Missy Irvin (District 18) asked the committee to concur in a House amendment that specifies “any data required under subdivision 2(a) of the section shall be protected by all applicable federal and state data privacy laws,” and that “no additional data mining is permitted under this section.” Irvin said the amendment was placed at the House Education Committee’s request to ensure compliance with federal and state standards including FERPA and HIPAA.

Jennifer Helms of Arkansans for Education Freedom testified against concurring in the amendment, saying the change was too generic. “This bill is based on federal legislation that says community schools can apply for federal funds,” Helms said, and argued the amendment does not address a list of specific privacy requests House members previously raised. She urged the committee to send the amendment back for “tighter and more rigorous language” and to require parents to opt in for wraparound services.

Committee members asked whether the amendment sufficiently protects student identities. Senator Starch noted constituent emails raising privacy concerns; Irvin responded the engrossed language was intended to address those concerns and that FERPA and HIPAA remain the controlling protections.

After brief discussion, Irvin moved to concur in the amendment. The committee adopted the motion by voice vote. The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; the clerk announced the motion passed.