Protecting Education Privacy Act

HR 4252, the Protecting Education Privacy Act, amends the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to strengthen student data privacy protections. It prohibits schools from sharing students' personally identifiable information with third parties for commercial products or services without parental written consent, while explicitly allowing traditional school items like yearbooks, class rings, and school photos. The bill clarifies that "authorized representatives" (such as contractors working under school officials) cannot share student data beyond the school official they serve. These changes directly affect schools, education contractors, and parents by tightening rules around how student data can be used.