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Colorado lawmakers need to prolong a statewide prohibition on facial recognition know-how in colleges whereas additionally inserting some guardrails on its use in districts the place the know-how has been allowed for use.
Present legislation says Ok-12 colleges can not contract with any vendor for facial recognition providers except the contract was in place earlier than Aug. 10, 2022 — or pertains to a broadly obtainable shopper product equivalent to a smartphone.
Senate Bill 143 principally extends that provision whereas additionally renewing a debate about whether or not the technology can keep students and schools safe or whether or not it’s a violation of scholar privateness.
About 12 districts statewide use the know-how and sponsors are working to position some limits on how they use the software program, mentioned state Rep. Lindsey Daugherty, an Arvada Democrat.
“We’re looking for the steadiness between letting them use the know-how, but in addition defending college students’ biometric information,” Daugherty mentioned.
The invoice narrowly handed the Senate Schooling Committee on a 4-3 vote Wednesday and can also be sponsored by Senate Minority Chief Paul Lundeen, Home Minority Whip Ryan Armagost, and state Rep. Michael Carter, an Aurora Democrat.
Invoice sponsors have amended the invoice to assist colleges that use the know-how proceed utilizing the software program. As an example, amendments record when the know-how could be turned on, equivalent to within the case of an emergency or by the request of legislation enforcement.
Faculty districts reported they use the know-how to search out college students who’ve left the college constructing or gone lacking, mentioned Greg Miller, Cheyenne Mountain Faculty District govt director of know-how.
“We had a toddler that was in preschool who regularly, when strolling down the corridor together with his class, would resolve to expire a facet door,” Miller mentioned. “With three clicks we may find his final location.”
Michelle Bourgeois, the St. Vrain Valley Colleges’ chief know-how officer, additionally testified that the software program can reduce down on figuring out an individual from hours to minutes and preserve away somebody who isn’t speculated to be on campus.
She mentioned the know-how isn’t meant to profile college students or be used on them.
“As professionals who serve in our colleges, we care deeply about each scholar security and privateness,” she mentioned. “We’re merely asking for the flexibility to make use of trendy instruments to guard the scholars in our care.”
Many teams additionally testified in assist of the continued ban out of concern for scholar privateness.
The ACLU of Colorado testified in favor of the invoice, with representatives saying they’d want a statewide prohibition. They mentioned the invoice strikes a steadiness.
“Facial recognition poses actual dangers to privateness,” mentioned Anaya Robinson, the ACLU of Colorado’s senior coverage strategist. She added the know-how “can simply toe the road between constitutional use and unconstitutional use.”
And Jeffco Public Colleges social research trainer Angie Anderson mentioned she worries about how colleges use these programs. Anderson testified in favor of the invoice on behalf of the Colorado Schooling Affiliation, the state’s largest lecturers union.
The know-how has the potential to create an setting the place lecturers may understand colleges are spying on them or unfairly goal sure college students, she mentioned.
“For all its potential advantages, this know-how can come geared up with huge potential for abuse,” she mentioned.
The invoice will now be heard earlier than the complete Senate, and sponsors plan for additional amendments for districts that presently use the facial recognition know-how after suggestions from leaders.
Jason Gonzales is a reporter protecting larger schooling and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado companions with Open Campus on larger schooling protection. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.
