Sponsors (2)
The bill gives parents and students a stronger, faster federal enforcement path for student privacy and rights, but it increases litigation exposure and centralizes enforcement in ways that may strain federal resources and reduce local responsiveness.
Parents and eligible students can sue schools in federal court for FERPA or PPRA violations and obtain injunctions, declarations, and attorney fees, creating a direct, enforceable remedy.
Complaints must be adjudicated within 90 days, giving parents and students faster resolution and reducing prolonged harms to student privacy or rights.
A centralized Departmental office and review board for FERPA/PPRA enforcement could improve consistency and accountability in how violations are handled nationwide.
Schools and local education agencies will face increased litigation costs and greater legal exposure due to the new private right of action and attorney fee awards.
Removing the administrative exhaustion requirement may lead to more federal lawsuits and duplicate proceedings, increasing court dockets and legal costs for families, schools, and the government.
The tight 90‑day adjudication deadline could strain Department of Education resources and produce rushed or less thorough investigations and decisions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal private right of action and a 90‑day complaint resolution requirement under FERPA and PPRA, letting parents/students sue for relief and attorney’s fees.
Introduced December 18, 2025 by Harriet Hageman · Last progress December 18, 2025
Creates a new enforcement path for parents and certain students under federal student privacy laws by requiring the Department of Education to set up an office and review board to handle complaints and by giving parents/students a federal right to sue. Complaints must be resolved within 90 days, administrative exhaustion is waived, and successful plaintiffs can seek declaratory or injunctive relief plus attorney’s fees and costs. Applies to both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The Department’s regional office functions are limited for FERPA (except for hearings), and the Attorney General may intervene in cases of broad public importance. The measure does not include new funding for compliance or litigation costs.