By Illinois News Network
SPRINGFIELD – A controversial law that allowed schools to request students’ social media passwords pursuant to an investigation has been reversed after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 3527.
The original measure that allowed schools to request social media passwords while investigating cases like cyber bullying passed a previous General Assembly and took effect at the beginning of this year but under the new provision signed by Rauner, schools can no longer demand the login info.
Chief sponsor in the House. Rep. Mike Fortner (R-Chicago) said the measure strikes the right balance.
“So there are different ways the school can get the information but what they can’t do simply ask for the password and go off on their own and use that password.”
Schools can still investigate social media for possible policy violations, just not from behind the secure wall of a user’s login, unless the student willing provides the info.
The new law is something Illinois Association of Principals’ Brian Schwartz said keeps the students privacy paramount.
“We think it’s a much better bill and a much better law and will allow administrators — building level administrators — to investigate violations of school district policy but still allow and protect students’ privacy.”
The law requires elementary and secondary schools to provide notification to the students and their parents or guardians of the updated measure.
