Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
ABLE Supports House Bill 127 to Protect Student Privacy
On May 6, 2025, Ryan Davis, Staff Attorney at Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), testified before the Ohio House Education Committee in support of House Bill 127. This legislation seeks to amend Ohio's Public Records Act to allow school districts the discretion to withhold directory information about students, such as names, addresses, and participation in school activities, from public records requests.
Currently, under federal law, schools are permitted to release directory information without parental consent unless a parent opts out. However, this opt-out process is often not well understood by parents, and the broad disclosure of such personal information can expose students to potential risks, including identity theft and exploitation. House Bill 127 would empower local school districts to implement policies that better safeguard student privacy, aligning with ABLE's mission to protect vulnerable populations and promote justice and equal access to opportunity.
ABLE urges lawmakers to support House Bill 127 to ensure that Ohio's children are afforded the privacy protections they deserve. To read the full testimony provided by Ryan Davis, click here.