A N A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- STUDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-38 of the General Laws entitled "Offenses Pertaining to Schools" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
16-38-5.1. Assignment of identification numbers to students. -- (a) Effective July 1, 2007, no public educational institution, including, but not limited to, the state department of elementary and secondary education and the state office of higher education, shall assign an individual identification number to a student which is identical to or incorporates the individual's social security number.
(b) No public educational institution shall allow the public display of a student's social security number, or any four (4) or more consecutive numbers contained in the individual's social security number for any purpose.
(c) In any civil action alleging a violation of this section, the court may award damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to a prevailing plaintiff, and afford injunctive relief against any institution which violates or proposes to violate this section.
(d) Nothing contained herein shall prohibit an educational institution's use of a student's social security number when required by law.
SECTION 2. Except as otherwise provided herein, this act shall take effect upon passage.