[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H4180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AVOID FUTURE CAMPUS TRAGEDIES

  (Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech 
leads us to ask what else could have been done to protect students at 
our colleges and universities.
  The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is intended to 
protect the confidentiality of student records and define under what 
instances parents can have access to student information and grades. 
Unfortunately, under the definitions in the act, there are many 
examples where information was not released to parents or guardians 
regarding a student's mental health, which led to withholding of vital 
information that could have prevented suicides, assaults and other 
crimes.
  Schools are hesitant to release information for fear of legal action. 
In my 25 years of practice as a psychologist, I have known many 
instances where these problems arose.
  I am introducing legislation to clarify the act to help define 
circumstances where universities can release vital information to 
parents, including risks for suicide, homicide and physical assaults. 
Further, it will hold harmless colleges and universities who, after 
consultation with a mental health specialist, act in the best interest 
of the student, where they can release information to help save lives. 
We can no longer let this 30-year act be a barrier between parents, 
students and schools.
  I urge my colleagues to sign in support of this bill.

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