Student Records Protection Act

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 21, 2021

Student Records Protection Act

This bill revises the requirements for an accrediting agency to be recognized by the Department of Education (ED) as a reliable authority on the quality of education being offered at an institution of higher education (IHE). It also requires an IHE to establish a records management plan for accreditation purposes.

Specifically, an accrediting agency must require an IHE to submit for approval a records management plan upon notification by the IHE that it intends to cease its operations. The plan must include a plan for the custody, continued access, and disposition of student records (e.g., student transcripts, billing, and financial-aid records). Further, the IHE must submit the plan to ED.

Under current law, an IHE must be accredited by an accrediting agency to participate in federal student-aid programs.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] · D–PA

Committees

Education and Workforce Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jul 21, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Jul 21, 2021
Introduced in House
Jul 21, 2021
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 21, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4596 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4596, 117th Congress: Student Records Protection Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4596

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4596/BILLS-117hr4596ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4596 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4596 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.4596, 117th Congress: Student Records Protection Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4596

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4596/BILLS-117hr4596ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4596 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4596 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.4596, 117th Congress: Student Records Protection Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4596

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4596/BILLS-117hr4596ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4596 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4596 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4596, 117th Congress: Student Records Protection Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4596

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4596/BILLS-117hr4596ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4596 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.