---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 1161l–4"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "1161l–4"
heading: "Guidance on mental health disclosures for student safety"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/1161l-4"
units:
  - "Chapter 28 — Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance"
  - "Subchapter IX — Additional Programs"
  - "Part L — Student Safety and Campus Emergency Management"
---

# §1161l–4. Guidance on mental health disclosures for student safety

- (a) **Guidance—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall continue to provide guidance that clarifies the role of institutions of higher education with respect to the disclosure of education records, including to a parent or legal guardian of a dependent student, in the event that such student demonstrates that the student poses a significant risk of harm to himself or herself or to others, including a significant risk of suicide, homicide, or assault. Such guidance shall further clarify that an [institution of higher education](/usc/20/1001.md?p=a) that, in good faith, discloses education records or other information in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and [section 1232g of this title](/usc/20/1232g.md) (commonly known as the “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974”) shall not be liable to any person for that disclosure.
- (b) **Information to Congress—** The [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) shall provide an update to the [authorizing committees](/usc/20/1003.md?p=1) on the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17)’s activities under [subsection (a)](#a) not later than 180 days after August 14, 2008.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–329, title VIII, § 825, as added Pub. L. 110–315, title VIII, § 801, Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3412; amended Pub. L. 111–39, title VIII, § 801(8), July 1, 2009, 123 Stat. 1956.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111–39 substituted “commonly known as the ‘Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974’ ” for “the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–39 effective as if enacted on the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–315 (Aug. 14, 2008), see section 3 of Pub. L. 111–39, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.