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Leon’s Law

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Leon’s Law

Leon’s Law is a North Carolina state law (Session Law 2025-46) that changes how education records are handled for students who are under 18 and enrolled in college courses.

Under this law, parents/guardians of minor students who are claimed as dependents on the most recent federal tax return may request access to certain education records. This law works alongside FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), the federal privacy law that protects student education records.

What Records can be shared?

With a verified request, parents may access:

  • Final course grades
  • Attendance records
  • Course schedules
  • Academic standing (good standing, probation, etc.)
  • Disciplinary records
  • Other education records covered by FERPA

Important: Leon’s Law does not allow parents to sit in classes, get weekly grade updates, or bypass college processes. It only allows access to official records through the proper request process.

What Students Must Do

  • All students under 18 must complete the Leon’s Law Student Acknowledgement Form before they can register for classes (linked below).
  • Students will not be allowed to register for classes until this form is completed
  • Students must also choose one of the following:
    1. Submit a FERPA Release Form allowing access to parents/guardians, or
    2. Have their parent/guardian complete the Parent Certification Form (verifying dependent status for tax purposes).

Without one of these forms, parents cannot access records.

What Parents Must Do

Parents/guardians who want to request records must:

  1. Complete the correct Leon’s Law Parent Request Form (linked below).
  2. Provide verification information to confirm identity.
  3. Submit the Parent Certification Form annually (based on the most recent federal tax return) unless the student has submitted a FERPA Release Form instead.

Protecting Student Privacy

Davidson-Davie takes student privacy seriously.

  • All parent/guardian requests are reviewed and verified before information is shared.
  • Information is only released if forms are completed and the requester is authorized.
  • Processing may take up to 45 days in accordance with FERPA guidelines.
Student Acknowledgement Form
Parent Request Form: Traditional Students Under 17 & Dual Enrolled Students
Parent Certification Form
Parent Request Form: CCR Students
Parent Request Form: Continuing Education Students

Questions? Students and families with questions about Leon’s Law can contact studentaffairs@davidsondavie.edu or records@davidsondavie.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Leon’s Law is a North Carolina law that gives parents/legal guardians the right to request certain education records for students under the age of 18 who are claimed as dependents on the most recent federal tax return. The law applies to college courses taken while the student is still in high school (including Career & College Promise and Early College students).

Only a parent/legal guardian of a minor student who is claimed as a dependent on their most recent federal tax return can request records.

If the student is under 18 and not claimed on a U.S. federal tax return, Leon’s Law does not apply. Access to records would follow regular FERPA rules, which require student consent.

Yes. Parents may choose not to receive their child’s records by submitting the Leon’s Law Opt-Out Form (optional).

Once a student turns 18, Leon’s Law no longer applies unless they are still claimed as a dependent under FERPA. In that case, the parent would still need to provide documentation.

Students must complete the Leon’s Law Student Acknowledgement Form. In addition, either the FERPA Release Form (completed by the student) or the Parent Certification Form (completed by the parent) must be submitted before any records can be released.

Parents should submit the appropriate online request form:

No. All requests must be submitted through the official forms. Once submitted, a staff member will follow up.

  • Grades: Parents may request final grades and official records, but they won’t receive weekly or assignment-by-assignment updates. The appropriate form must be used to make this request.
  • Attendance: Attendance records are private and will be shared only through the official process.
  • Meetings with Instructors: Parents may only meet with instructors if the student is present and agrees.
  • Class Visits: Parents cannot attend or observe classes.
  • Course Materials: Parents will not be given access to online course platforms or full course content.

No. Disability-related documentation and accommodations are protected under federal law (ADA/Section 504) and will only be shared with student consent.

Leon’s Law does not apply. The student must complete a FERPA Release Form to allow parents access to records.

Leon’s Law does not apply; the student must submit a FERPA Release Form for parents to have access.