HIPAA-FERPA revisited.

Since April 2003, school nurse and school health officials have been clamoring for guidance on how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) interface in the school environment. This article provides an up-to-date explanation of how school health leaders are interpreting the practical implications of the federal privacy laws. With the attention and scrutiny given to personally identifiable health information in all settings, it is imperative for school nurses, school administrators, and school attorneys to revisit policies and procedures for protecting the privacy of student and family health information in schools.