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03-040 Notification of Parent, Guardian, or Emergency Contact for Alcohol and Controlled Substance Violations (Beau’s Law)

Last Update: June 16, 2026

Approved: June 15, 2026 by President Zvi Szafran

Policy Contact: Vice President, Student Affairs

Supersedes:


I. SCOPE

SUNY Canton 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 Canton 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.

Effective July 1, 2026, and in accordance with FERPA and New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s Law), this policy establishes the framework under which SUNY Canton 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 Canton exercises its discretion under FERPA and applicable New York State law.

This policy applies to:

  • All students enrolled at SUNY Canton 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.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

SUNY Canton 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.

III. POLICY

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 includes the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, Student Conduct Officer, University Police, Director of Davis Health Center, Director of Counseling Center, and/or Director of Residence Life.
  • Individual faculty or staff members do not contact parents, guardians, or emergency contacts unless specifically authorized as previously noted.
  • 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 Personally Identifiable Information (PII) without consent ifthere 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 Canton 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.

IV. DEFINITIONS

None

V. OTHER RELATED INFORMATION

None

VI. PROCEDURES

  1. Student Notification
  2. When feasible and appropriate, students will be informed that a parent, guardian, or emergency contact has been or may be notified, unless such notification would compromise health or safety or interfere with an ongoing investigation.
  3. Notifications are completed via phone call in emergency situations to the student- designated emergency contact, or via written letter where in reference to policy violations.

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.

VII. FORMS

  1. Student Emergency Designation is completed in UCanWeb annually.
  2. Policy violation notification letters are housed in Maxient (conduct software) and used by Student Conduct staff.

VIII. AUTHORITY

Notification determinations are made only by designated institutional offices, which includes the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, Student Conduct Officer, University Police, Director of Davis Health Center, Director of Counseling Center, and/or Director of Residence Life.

IX. HISTORY

Current policy indicates the following (provided, in part, to showcase the line relevant to this updated policy):

30.1.9 Alcohol/Drug Violations – Sanctions

  1. When an individual is found to have violated the campus Alcohol/Drug policy the following actions will be taken:
    1. The First Alcohol/Drug policy violation will result in the following minimum sanction:
      1. Mandatory completion of an online Alcohol/Drug Awareness Class ($30.00 charge);
      2. Automatic Residence Hall Probation for one year;
      3. Letter sent home to parent(s)/guardian(s) of any student under the age of 21;
    2. The Second Alcohol/Drug policy violation will result in the following minimum sanction:
      1. Disciplinary Probation for the balance of the student’s attendance at SUNY Canton;
      2. Residence Hall Probation for the balance of their attendance at SUNY Canton;
      3. Mandatory attendance and participation in an online Alcohol /Drug Education Class ($30.00 charge);
      4. Letter to the parent(s)/guardian(s) of any student under the age of 21;

X. APPENDICES

None

XI. FREQUENCY OF REVIEW AND UPDATE

Policies will have a normal review period of every five (5) years unless required otherwise.