| JEFFERSON CITY —Legislation proposing cybersecurity protections for school-age children is moving forward to the Missouri House of Representatives. On Wednesday, the Missouri Senate approved Senate Bill 582, which requires districts to notify parents if their student’s personal information is stolen or compromised.
“In this day and age, it is necessary to keep our youth’s personal information safe,” said Senate Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors. “Our children are more susceptible to become victims of identity fraud because it can take years to uncover the damage.” In addition to notifying the parents, school officials must also notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state auditor. Currently, only some school districts have a written policy regarding parental notification in the event of a data breach. “Enhancing the level of cybersecurity protection for students is vital and their parents need to know when a data breach has taken place in their school’s database” said Sen. Walsh. “I am confident my colleagues in the Missouri House of Representatives will recognize the value in protecting our youth’s personal information and will send this proposal to the governor’s desk.” For more information on Sen. Walsh’s legislative actions, visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/walsh. |