Existing law generally authorizes school districts to release student directory information, including a student’s name, address, telephone number, and date of birth. However, existing law also provides that a school district may not release directory information of a student identified as a homeless child or youth, unless a parent or the student, if eligible, has given written consent.
AB 677 modifies the restriction on releasing directory information of a student identified as a homeless child or youth without consent in certain, limited situations. Specifically, AB 677 authorizes a school district to disclose directory information of a student identified as a homeless child or youth for the purpose of facilitating an eye examination by a nonprofit eye examination provider or a free oral health assessment, unless the parent or the student, if accorded parental rights, has provided written notice that they do not consent to the physical examination. Additionally, AB 677 provides that reports made to a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver of a pupil experiencing homelessness about a defect identified through such an eye examination or oral health assessment should be made through communication channels other than mail, when possible.
(AB 677 amends Sections 49073, 49452.8, and 49455.5 of the Education Code.)