Leon’s Law (Workforce Continuing Education)

Leon’s Law (Workforce Continuing Education) msteele Tue, 06/02/2026 - 08:52 What is Leon’s Law?Leon’s Law (North Carolina Session Law 2025-46), effective July 1, 2025, updates how education records are managed for students under 18 who are enrolled in college courses.Under this law, parents or guardians of minor students who are claimed as dependents on their most recent federal tax return may request access to specific education records. Leon’s Law works in conjunction with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.Leon's Law requires that Community Colleges share the education records of minor dependent students with:Their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), without the student's consent, as long as the parent claims the student as a dependent on their federal tax return.High school counselors or administrators, if the student is dually enrolled in a K-12 institution and a community college.Note: The law does not give parents or legal guardians the right to make academic decisions for the student. Forms Student Acknowledgement Form All students under 18 must complete the Leon’s Law Student Acknowledgement Form before they can register for classes. Students will not be allowed to register for classes until this form is completed. Complete the Acknowledgement Form Parent Eligibility Form All parents of minor students must complete the Parental Eligibility Form before they can request their child's academic or financial records under Leon’s Law. Parents will only need to complete this form if they are actively requesting access to these records. Complete the Eligibility Form FAQs To Which Program or Course Does This Apply? Leon’s Law applies to all college courses and programs including non-credit short-term Continuing Education (CE) courses such as Nurse Aide Level I, Massage Therapy, and Defensive Driving classes. CE courses are courses that do not award a degree or college-credit hours and do not require an application of admission to the college. To enroll in a continuing education course, students complete a simple registration form or sign-up online if the course is eligible for online registration. When Must the Acknowledgement Form be Completed? For new students, or returning students who have not completed the form previously, the form must be completed before registration into a CE course (includes registration by phone and walk-in).For same-day registrations (e.g., Public Safety classes), the form must be completed on the day of registration, at or prior to the start of class. As a reminder, if the student is 18 or older at the time of registration, a Leon’s Law acknowledgement is not required. What if I have already completed a Leon’s Law Acknowledgement? Contact WCE Support at (919) 718-7500 and be prepared to provide important information to help staff search for record of your form submission, including name and program area for which you have previously completed a Leon’s Law Acknowledgement (i.e., GED, two-year degree program, or a Continuing Education class). Upon verifying that a student has completed the acknowledgement, WCE staff will then be able to complete registration requests without further delay.  How does this work with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)? Leon’s Law doesn’t conflict with FERPA; it uses an existing FERPA exception which allows colleges, at their discretion, to share records with a parent/guardian if the student is claimed as a dependent for federal tax purposes. Leon’s Law mandates applying this exception for minors under 18, instead of leaving it to the institution’s choice. Who is considered a "parent"? Under Leon’s Law and FERPA, a parent is defined as: a biological or adoptive parent, a legal guardian, or an individual acting as a parent in place of a guardian for a minor student claimed as a dependent on the individual’s or parents most recent federal tax return. What types of records can be requested? With a verified request, records may include course grades, attendance, schedules, and student conduct records. Leon’s Law does not permit parents to attend classes, receive weekly or monthly grade or attendance updates, or make decisions for the student. It only grants access to official records through the proper request process for an academic year. Can parents contact or meet with instructors or academic advisors directly? No, parents should not contact instructors or academic advisors to request information directly. Parents can only meet with instructors or academic advisors if the student agrees and is present; students are responsible for contacting the instructor or academic advisor to make such arrangements. Parents/legal guardians must use the Parent/Guardian Eligibility form above to request information permissible under the law. How will the college respond to requests for information? Please allow 7 - 10 business days after receiving the request and verifying parent/guardian access eligibility.  Are parents allowed to sit in or observe a class? No. Leon’s Law allows parents/legal guardians of minor dependent students to request access to their student’s education records, but it does not grant the ability to observe a class.  Admissions Brain