FILE: JGFHA
STUDENT BIOMETRIC INFORMATION
The Richland Parish School Board shall authorize the utilization of biometric information in the identification of students, as well as to enhance student safety and security and protect against instances of fraud throughout the school district. Biometric information shall mean the noninvasive electronic measurement of any physical characteristics that are attributable to a single person, including fingerprint characteristics, eye characteristics, hand characteristics, vocal characteristics, facial characteristics, and any other physical characteristics used for the purpose of electronically identifying that person with a high degree of certainty.
Prior to the collection of any student biometric information, expressed written permission from the student’s parent or legal guardian, or the student if eighteen (18) or older, shall be obtained and kept on file in the principal’s office at the school the student attends.
A student’s biometric information shall be treated as any other student record in terms of access and confidentiality, and shall not be disclosed to a third party without the written consent of the student’s parent or legal guardian, or the student if eighteen (18) or older, unless the disclosure is required by court order.
In addition, the School Board shall delegate to the Superintendent the development, implementation, and maintenance of adequate regulations and procedural standards to protect student biometric information held and/or used in accordance with the policy. Such regulations and procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
The secure storage, transmission, and protection of all biometric information from unauthorized alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
Restriction of access to student biometric information and processing to appropriate and authorized personnel.
Proper encryption of student biometric information.
Compliance of any collection of student biometric information with all applicable state and federal law and requirements, including the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The use of student biometric information shall be discontinued after (1) the student graduates or withdraws from school, or (2) the School Board receives a written request to discontinue the use of biometric information from the student’s parents or legal guardian or the student if eighteen (18) or older. All biometric information collected from a student shall be destroyed within thirty (30) days after use of such information is discontinued.
The failure to provide written consent for the collection of biometric information of students shall not be the basis for refusal or denial of any services otherwise available to the student.
New policy: January 11, 2011
Ref: 20 USC 1232(g-i) (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
42 USC 1301 et seq. (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)
42 USC 12101 et seq. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:100.8
Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education
Board minutes, 1-11-11
Richland Parish School Board