What's happening
This bill broadens the prohibition against unauthorized falsification of student records to include all official student data maintained by schools and colleges.
Why it matters
Expands protection for student privacy and integrity. By including all official student records (not just grades or honors), the bill aims to safeguard a broader array of sensitive data—such as attendance, disciplinary actions, assessment results, and special education documents—against unauthorized tampering.
Raises the stakes for data management in schools and colleges. Administrators and staff will have a clearer legal obligation to ensure the accuracy and security of all student records, potentially prompting stronger data handling policies and training.
Addresses modern record-keeping realities. As educational institutions rely more on digital databases, the risk and impact of data falsification increases; this amendment reflects those changes by explicitly naming various types of student data, not just traditional transcripts.
Could affect investigations and accountability. The broader definition may make it easier to prosecute or discipline those who falsify or alter student records, thereby deterring misconduct and protecting students’ educational and legal rights.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Student Records
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.170
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.372
- Substituted for A2093B
- Referred to codes
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Amended on third reading 5273a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.1176
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Student Records Integrity
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5273--A Cal. No. 1176
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 20, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GALLIVAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the altering of a student's official records, files and/or data
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 9-a of section 225 of the education law, as added by chapter 443 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
9-a. Knowingly and willfully make an unauthorized and false alteration or representation of any [grade, credit, honor, award or standing in the permanent record or transcript of any student with respect to a school or college under the supervision of the regents, the commissioner, or the university of the state of New York] official records related to a student and maintained by a school or college under the supervision of the regents, the commissioner, or the university of the state of New York, including identifying data, grades, records of attendance, records of student achievement, assessment results, disciplinary records, and individualized education programs.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06304-05-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to prohibiting the altering of a student's official records, files and/or data
Purpose
This bill prohibits unauthorized and false alterations and tampering of any official student records, files, or data maintained by the school or college.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Subdivision 9-a of section 225 of the education law is amended to make unlawful the unauthorized or false alterations of student records: official records, files, and/or data maintained by a school or college (i.e. identifying data, grades, athletic records, records of attendance and academic work completed, records of student achievement and assessment results, disciplinary records, individual education programs).
Section 2 establishes the effective date.
Justification
Tampering with student data undermines both the credibility of official records and achievements of students, rendering their hard work and academic integrity meaningless. Additionally, these official records serve as important qualifiers for various measurements of success in determining awards and college admissions or recruitment.
The existing state law - implemented in 1980 to address grade tampering in the new dawn of a computer age - bars tampering with any "grade, credit honor, award, permanent record or transcript". However, this current statute does not take into account the evolution of and changes in the educational record made within the past four decades. Now, a student's "permanent record" includes information that provides a more holistic and comprehensive profile that encompasses academic achievement, behavioral areas of concern and assessments. These additions provide greater clarity into competencies and outcomes into an individual's educational journey.
As information on each student grows throughout his or her educational career, so does the need to preserve the inviolability of this important data by expanding what needs to be safeguarded.
This legislation would recognize that all educational records are protected from unlawful alteration or tampering. Within this scope, those files, documents and other materials which contain information directly related to students and are maintained by the educational institution - including records pertaining to disciplinary actions, special education, medical or health history, personally identifiable information, and those involving the student athlete and maintained by a school's athletic department -- would be covered from falsification.
Legislative history
A.10413 of 2016, referred to education
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
First of July next succeeding date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.