Impact Area at SUNY Morrisville: Morrisville Campus, Norwich Campus, Syracuse EOC
General Subject Area: Family & Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
Relates to Academic Policy #: AP.1 FERPA
Author: NYS Government
Legal Citation: New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s law)
Policy Summary
Notification of Parent, Guardian, or Emergency Contact for Alcohol and Controlled Substance Violations
SUNY Morrisville is committed to protecting student health and safety while respecting student privacy.
In accordance with FERPA and New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s law), SUNY Morrisville maintains the following policy regarding when a parent, guardian, or designated emergency contact may be notified if a student under the age of 21 is involved in certain alcohol- or controlled substance-related incidents.
Purpose
Effective July 1, 2026, and in accordance with FERPA and New York State Education Law §6438-d, this policy establishes the framework under which SUNY Morrisville may notify a student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or designated emergency contact(s) when a student under the age of 21 is involved in certain alcohol- or controlled substance-related violations or incidents.
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Promote student health and safety;
- Ensure transparency regarding notification practices; and
- Clarify how SUNY Morrisville exercises its discretion under FERPA and applicable New York State law.
Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students enrolled at SUNY Morrisville who are under the age of 21; and
- Involved in alcohol and controlled substance-related incidents, whether occurring on or off campus, which are addressed through institutional processes.
Policy Statement
SUNY Morrisville maintains a policy regarding the notification of a student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or emergency contact(s) when a student under the age of 21 is involved in certain alcohol- or controlled substance-related violations or incidents.
Notification decisions are made by authorized institutional offices and are guided by considerations of student health, safety, and welfare, as well as compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
Incidents Subject to Notification
A parent, guardian, or emergency contact may be notified when a student under the age of 21 is involved in one or more of the following, including but not limited to:
- Violations of institutional rules or policies related to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance;
- Violations of federal, state, or local laws involving alcohol or controlled substances; and
- Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including:
- Hospitalization;
- Overdose; or
- Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.
Notification Authority and Process
- Notification determinations are made only by designated institutional offices, which may include Student Affairs, Residence Life, Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, University Police, Health Services, Counsel’s Office, or other authorized officials.
- Individual faculty or staff members do not contact parents, guardians, or emergency contacts unless specifically authorized.
- Notifications are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the totality of the circumstances.
FERPA and New York State Education Law Considerations
FERPA permits institutions of higher education to disclose PII without consent if there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of the student or others, and the disclosure is to parties who need to know to respond.
New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s Law) requires transparency in NYS institutions of higher education on its policies involving notice to a parent, guardian, or emergency contact when a student under the age of 21 is involved in one or more of the following, including but not limited to:
- Violations of institutional rules or policies related to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance;
- Violations of federal, state, or local laws involving alcohol or controlled substances; and
- Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including:
- Hospitalization;
- Overdose; or
- Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.
SUNY Morrisville exercises its authority under FERPA and New York State Education Law in a manner that limits disclosures to information reasonably necessary to address the circumstances presented.
Student Notification
When feasible and appropriate, students will be informed that a parent, guardian, or emergency contact has been or may be notified, unless such notification compromises health or safety or interferes with an ongoing investigation.
Confidentiality and Privacy
All notifications under this policy are handled with sensitivity and respect for student privacy. Information shared is limited to what is necessary to address health, safety, or welfare concerns. All disclosures made pursuant to this policy are documented.
Training and Awareness
SUNY Morrisville provides regular training to employees regarding:
- FERPA requirements and exceptions;
- This notification policy; and
- Appropriate reporting and escalation procedures.
Questions
Questions regarding this policy or its implementation should be directed to:
- SUNY Morrisville Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
- Phone: 315-684-6070
FERPA and New York State Education Law Considerations
FERPA permits institutions of higher education to disclose PII without consent if there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of the student or others, and the disclosure is to parties who need to know to respond.
New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s Law) "Consistent with FERPA's above health and safety exception, this law requires institutions to publicly display their policy for contacting a student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or emergency contact(s) of a violation by a student under the age of 21 for the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.
Violations include but are not limited to:
- rule infractions
- violations of federal, state, or local law, or
- controlled substance or alcohol related hospitalizations or overdoses