Unicameral Update
Lawmakers gave first-round approval Feb. 28 to a bill that would require Nebraska schools to notify parents, guardians and educational decisionmakers before conducting non-anonymous surveys that ask for sensitive student information.
LB428, introduced by Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman, would require schools to give parents, guardians and education decisionmakers 30 days’ notice before conducting a survey that collects sensitive information from students, such as details about sex, religion, politics and health-risks or medical information.
The notice would include the purpose of the survey, who survey results might be shared with and how student privacy would be protected.
Under the bill, parents could request to review a copy of a survey and could choose to exempt their child from participating. LB428 also would prohibit sexual questions in surveys given to students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Murman said data collection poses risks to personal privacy and parents have the right to know how their child’s data will be stored, secured or shared.
“This bill asks that parents are informed and given the ability to make decisions they feel are best for their child,” Murman said.
Lawmakers voted 34-1 to adopt a Judiciary Committee amendment that would shorten the period for schools to inform parents about upcoming surveys from 30 days to 15.
Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln spoke in support of the measure. Parents already have the right to opt their children out of school curricula or activities they find objectionable, she said, and should have the ability to do the same for surveys that may cover sensitive topics.
“There is no doubt important results come from conducting thoughtful research, but when government entities are facilitating this kind of research, it can run afoul of parents’ rights otherwise to guide and control their children’s education,” Conrad said.
After adopting the committee amendment, senators voted 34-1 to advance LB428 to select file.