Which privacy law generally applies to student health information in schools?

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Multiple Choice

Which privacy law generally applies to student health information in schools?

FERPA is the privacy law that generally applies to student health information in schools because it protects education records held by the school or district. When health information is part of a student’s education record, it falls under FERPA’s protections, and disclosures are restricted or require appropriate consent with specific permitted exceptions (such as disclosures to school staff with legitimate educational interest or in certain emergencies). HIPAA, by contrast, covers protected health information held by healthcare providers and health plans and does not typically govern health records that are part of a student’s education record. The other laws serve different domains—GLBA relates to financial privacy, and COPPA to children’s online privacy—and do not govern school health records.

FERPA is the privacy law that generally applies to student health information in schools because it protects education records held by the school or district. When health information is part of a student’s education record, it falls under FERPA’s protections, and disclosures are restricted or require appropriate consent with specific permitted exceptions (such as disclosures to school staff with legitimate educational interest or in certain emergencies). HIPAA, by contrast, covers protected health information held by healthcare providers and health plans and does not typically govern health records that are part of a student’s education record. The other laws serve different domains—GLBA relates to financial privacy, and COPPA to children’s online privacy—and do not govern school health records.

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