Understanding Leon’s Law at North Carolina Community Colleges
Effective July 1, 2025 — Session Law 2025-46
Click here to view the MTCC Board Policy B.P 4.22: Leon's Law
Click here to view the student education records acknowledgement form
Click here to view the parental affidavit of dependency and request for academic information form
Click here to view the Leon's Law parent/guardian opt out form
What does Leon’s Law require?
- Records may be shared with a student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) without the student’s consent, provided the parent claims the student as a dependent on their federal tax return.
- For dual enrollment, records may be shared with the student’s high school counselors/administrators.
- This is mandatory for NC community colleges and aligns with the FERPA dependency exception.
Key actions for students & parents
Student Acknowledgment Form (required)
All minor students must complete a Leon’s Law acknowledgment before registering for any credit or non-credit course. This form notifies students that records can be accessed by parent(s)/guardian(s) and, when applicable, K–12 officials. It is an acknowledgment, not a consent/waiver.
Students who do not complete the form cannot register. Some colleges may require it each term or annually. For same-day/walk-in registrations (e.g., Public Safety), it must be completed on the day of registration.
Parent/Guardian Opt-Out (optional)
A parent/guardian may opt out of accessing their child’s records by submitting a signed opt-out form. This affects only Leon’s Law access and does not override other legal or FERPA rights. The opt-out can be revoked later in writing.
Parent Certification of Dependency (optional)
A college may ask for documentation showing the student is a tax dependent. Leon’s Law does not require colleges to collect it, but institutions can choose to do so.
It does not allow a parent/guardian to make academic decisions for the student.
When is the form required?
- Before registration for any course (credit or non-credit).
- May be required every term or annually, depending on college policy.
- Same-day/walk-in (e.g., Public Safety): complete on the day of registration.
- If a student is 18 or older, no Leon’s Law acknowledgment is required.
Who counts as a "parent"?
- Biological or adoptive parent
- Recognized under Leon’s Law and FERPA.
- Legal guardian
- Court-appointed or otherwise legally recognized guardian.
- Acting as a parent
- An individual acting in place of a parent in the absence of a guardian.
How Leon’s Law relates to FERPA
- No conflict with FERPA
- Leon’s Law does not conflict with FERPA. Instead, it requires NC community colleges to apply FERPA’s dependency exception for students under 18.
- FERPA dependency exception
-
FERPA (
34 CFR § 99.31(a)(8)) allows a college to release education records to a parent if the student is claimed as a dependent for federal tax purposes. Leon’s Law makes this application mandatory in North Carolina for minor students.
For questions about forms or documentation, contact Student Services.
This page summarizes Leon’s Law and related processes at North Carolina community colleges and may be updated as institutional guidance evolves.