In response to the "Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy" (see http://www.hhs.gov/vtreport.html), the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services just issued "Joint Guidance on the Application of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to Student Health Records." This guidance addresses the interplay between FERPA and the HIPAA Privacy Rule at elementary and secondary levels, as well as at the postsecondary level, and addresses many of the questions raised by school officials, health care professionals, and others regarding the applicability of these laws to records maintained on students. It also addresses certain disclosures that are allowed without consent or authorization under both laws, especially those related to health and safety emergency situations. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/doc/ferpa-hippa-guidance.pdf.

Balancing Student Privacy And School Safety: A Guide To The Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act For Colleges And Universities – These brochures from the U.S. Department of Education provide guidance on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to enable schools to better balance students' privacy rights with school safety concerns.

• Guidance for Schools K-12: Balancing Student Privacy and School Safety: A Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Guidance for Colleges and Universities: Balancing Student Privacy and School Safety: A Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act for Colleges and Universities
• For Parents: Parents' Guide to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: Rights Regarding Children's Education Records