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Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools

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413-362-1810

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170 Chestnut Street,
Amherst MA 01002

K2: Non-Custodial Parents

Home 5 K2: Non-Custodial Parents

Category K: Community Relations

Procedure K2: Non-Custodial Parents

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 34H, establishes the rights and procedures for non-custodial parents in regards to student records. The school district will follow the law and the regulations (Regulation CMR 603 23.07 ) developed by the Massachusetts Department of Education to standardize the process by which public schools provide student records to parents who do not have physical custody of their children (“non-custodial parents”).

A non-custodial parent is eligible to obtain access to the student record unless:

  • the parent has been denied legal custody or has been ordered to supervised visitation, based on a threat to the safety of the student and the threat is specifically noted in the order pertaining to custody or supervised visitation; or
  • the parent has been denied visitation; or
  • the parent’s access to the student has been restricted by a temporary or permanent protective order, unless the protective order (or any subsequent order modifying the protective order) specifically allows access to the information contained in the student record; or
  • there is an order of a probate and family court judge which prohibits the distribution of student records to the parent.

    • In these instances, the District shall place in the student’s record documents indicating that a non-custodial parent’s access to the student’s record is limited or restricted.

    In order to obtain access, the non-custodial parent must submit a written request for the student record to the school principal.

    Upon receipt of the request, the District must immediately notify the custodial parent by certified and first class mail, in English and the primary language of the custodial parent, that it will provide the non-custodial parent with access after 21 days unless the custodial parent provides the principal with documentation that the non-custodial parent is not eligible to obtain access as set forth in 603 CMR 23.07 (5)(a).

    The school must delete all electronic and postal address and telephone number information relating to either work or home locations of the custodial parent from student records provided to non-custodial parents. In addition, such records must be marked to indicate that they shall not be used to enroll the student in another school.

    Upon receipt of a court order that prohibits the distribution of information pursuant to G.L. c. 71, §34H, the school shall notify the non-custodial parent that it shall cease to provide access to the student record to the non-custodial parent.

     


    Authorizing Document(s)

    MGL Chapter 71, Section 34

    Massachusetts CMR 603. 23.07

    POLICY KBBA: Non-custodial Parents Rights 

     

    Updated:

    July 2014