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Education

Lawmakers Ban Biometric Data Collection In Florida Schools

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Schools won’t be able to collect the fingerprints or other biometric information of students under a bill approved by the Florida Legislature.

The new requirement is part of a broad package designed to protect kids’ privacy.

When lawmakers in Tallahassee talk about biometrics, they’re talking about hands and eyes being scanned or fingerprints being collected.

For Senator Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, it’s a slippery slope.

"We’re talking about government taking information from children to perform a task that’s not related to education," Hukill told the Senate Judiciary committee. "Checking out a book in the library is education. Why do you need to take a biometric?”

Hukill says she sponsored the bill to protect children from identity theft. So, why not give parents the chance to opt-in?

"I think the better way is to not have it at this point in time," Hukill replied. "I don’t think we have protections in place. I don’t think we have all of the information available to know what the long-term ramifications would be.”

The bill will become law this summer unless the governor vetoes it.

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