SUPPORTING FREE AND RESPONSIBLE SCHOLASTIC JOURNALISM AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTING AND HONORING THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IN STUDENT PUBLICATIONS.

This House Resolution (HR 105) clarifies that parental consent is not legally required for publishing student names or photos in school-sponsored student media (like yearbooks or newspapers), as current Hawaii law already protects student press freedom under the Hawaii Student Journalism Protection Act. It directs the Department of Education to update its Student Publication Release Form and website to remove misleading language suggesting parental signatures are needed, and to inform school administrators about this policy. The resolution specifically addresses confusion caused by FERPA (privacy law) being inappropriately applied to student journalism, which is protected under existing state law. It does not create new legal requirements but aligns school practices with current protections for student journalists. The resolution directly affects Hawaii public school administrators, student media advisers, and student journalists.