Policies and Legislation

University Policies 

8.1 Acceptable Use
8.2 Information Security
8.3 Mobile Equipment and Mobile Services
8.4 Key and Card Access Control
8.5 Web Accessibility
8.6 Institutional Data Governance

Federal Regulation 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

FERPA protects the privacy of students' education records by enforcing limitations on the release of student information. Particularly sensitive information includes students' Social Security numbers, race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, academic performance, disciplinary records, and grades. Find out more about SMU's FERPA policy at www.smu.edu/registrar/ferpa. The latest on FERPA can be found on the U.S. Department of Education's FERPA page at  www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

HIPAA is a federal law comprised of regulations that establish and protect patient rights and disseminate standards for the protection of individually identifiable health information. Find out more about HIPAA at www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)

GLBA sets forth key provisions on the collection and disclosure of consumer's personal financial information, such as bank account numbers. Find out more about the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act at www.ftc.gov/privacy/privacyinitiatives/glbact.html

FACTA Red Flags

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in conjunction with several other agencies set out a list of guidelines, collectively called the Red Flag Rules, that regulate how Universities will address potential incidents of Identity theft. Find out more about Red Flags at ftc.gov/opa/2007/10/redflag.shtm

State Regulation

Texas 78(R) SB 473 

Texas 78(R) SB 473 relates to assisting consumers to both prevent and detect identity theft, and providing penalties. The Act can be reviewed atcapitol.texas.gov/billlookup/text.aspx?LegSess=78R&Bill=SB473.

Texas 79(R) SB 122 

Texas 79(R) SB 122 relates to the prevention and punishment of identity theft, the rights of certain victims of identity theft, and providing penalties. The Act can be reviewed at capitol.texas.gov/billlookup/text.aspx?LegSess=79R&Bill=SB122.

Texas Penal Code 7.33 

Texas Penal Code 7.33 is a criminal statute regarding Computer Crimes. The code can be reviewed at statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/PE/htm/PE.33.htm.

Texas Penal Code 32.51 

Texas Penal Code 32.51 is a criminal statute regarding Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information. The code can be reviewed at statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.32.htm#32.51.