State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Thursday that Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill that is designed to protect students’ and parents’ personal information from being released during board meetings.

SB 1036 prohibits a local educational agency from including directory or personal information of a student or parent in board meeting minutes, according to officials.

“The governor’s signature on this bill ensures citizens can participate in school board meetings without fear of their personal address or other information being released to the public,” said Wilk. “Democracy works best when people feel free to participate without fear of reprisal or intimidation; this bill will accomplish that goal.”

Prior to SB 1036 being passed, California law allowed for the publishing and release of personal information — such as full names, home addresses and telephone numbers — by California school boards in their official board meeting minutes.

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Publicly releasing that kind of personal information could affect the participation and dissent in those meetings, particularly when a controversial issue is being discussed in front of the board, Wilk said.

With the new law in place, Wilk said he believes that more individuals will attend school board meetings.  

“There is no reason a school board needs to publicize a person’s address when he or she is weighing in on a controversial issue,” said Wilk. “With so many concerns about the compromising of personal information in this age of technology and fast-flowing information, it is logical to put policies in place to protect someone’s privacy when they participate at the school board level.”

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