State Senate Democrats say personal data on Colorado K-12 students will be a little less secure than it could have – had ruling Republicans in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday not shot down Senate Bill 102 on a party-line vote.

The proposal, sponsored by state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, would have barred private providers such as standardized-testing companies from asking students questions about their citizenship status or religion, or about similar information on their parents or other family members. The bill also would have prohibited those providers from collecting, selling, using, or sharing that information.

In a press statement Wednesday from the Senate Democratic press shop, Zenzinger said:

“Protecting the privacy of Colorado students regarding sensitive matters is not a partisan matter, but I am disappointed this bill did not advance today. Private companies have no business asking minors questions about their faith or their citizenship, and then likely selling that information for personal gain,” said Senator Zenzinger.

“This bill was about ensuring parents and students alone have the right to decide…whether they want to keep that information private, or disclose it. Again, I am just disappointed this bill to protect Colorado families’ right to privacy for their children will not be heard by the full Senate.”

The press release also linked to a Denver CBS4 report on Zenzinger’s bill.