House Members to Discuss Ban on Student ID Tracking Chips

Texas House members are to discuss a proposed ban on school districts from requiring student ID badges embedded with locator chips.

The bill by influential Republican Rep. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham would allow voluntary use of such IDs, but wouldn't let schools require it.

Kolkhorst has introduced unsuccessful proposals since 2005 to ban the chips in schools.  She is detailing her latest bill Tuesday before the House Public Education Committee.

The proposal would require schools to provide alternative IDs to students whose parents object to chips. 

In Texas, school funding is based on daily attendance. Some districts say the technology lets them monitor students' whereabouts with GPS precision.

But chips made headlines when a San Antonio high school student sued, saying the technology violated her religion.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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