Students; questionnaires and surveys requesting sexual information, etc. (HB1698)

Introduced By

Del. Tony Wilt (R-Harrisonburg) with support from co-patrons Del. Tim Hugo (R-Centreville), Del. Margaret Ransone (R-Kinsale), and Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church)

Description

Student questionnaires and surveys; parental notification and consent. Requires each school board, in any case in a questionnaire or survey requesting that students provide sexual information, mental health information, medical information, information on student health risk behaviors, other information on controlled substance use, or any other information that the school board deems to be sensitive in nature is to be administered, to give the parent 30 days' electronic and written notice of the nature and types of questions, the purposes and age-appropriateness of the questionnaire or survey, how such information will be used, who will have access to such information, the steps that will be taken to protect student privacy, and whether and how any findings or results will be disclosed. The bill gives the parent the right to request that an advance copy of the questionnaire or survey be sent to him, to review the document in person at the school, and to exempt his child from participation. Under current law, (i) such written notice only applies to surveys or questionnaires on sexual information and information on student health risk behaviors, (ii) the detailed contents of the notice only apply to information on student health risk behaviors, and (iii) the parent has the right to review questionnaires and surveys but no right to request that a copy be sent to him. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History