The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Pennsylvania House Bill 655 requires the Department of Education to develop a model student data security plan
Last action · February 20, 2025: Referred to COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, Feb. 20, 2025Sponsors: Alec Ryncavage and 2 others
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Pennsylvania House Bill 655 directs the Department of Education to develop and annually update a model data security plan for student records, in consultation with the Office of Information Technology. The legislation requires the designation of a chief data security officer and mandates a working group report on implementation costs by December 1, 2026, taking effect in 60 days.
School districts, charter schools, and intermediate units must adapt their student information systems to align with new state-level privacy standards, access authentication rules, and mandatory breach response procedures.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
school entity
School districts, charter schools, and other educational institutions are required to handle student data in accordance with the newly mandated model security plans and may request assistance from the newly designated chief data security officer.
Department
The Department of Education is tasked with developing and annually updating the model data security plan, designating a chief data security officer, and convening a working group.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What organizations are covered under the term 'school entity' in the bill?
What specific components must the model data security plan include?
When is the working group required to submit its report on implementation costs?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Feb 20, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY, Feb. 20, 2025
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.palegis.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools