Parental Notification (Beau’s Law) 

SUNY Geneseo 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),  Geneseo 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, this policy establishes the framework under which SUNY Geneseo 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 Geneseo exercises its discretion under FERPA and applicable New York State law. 

This policy applies to: 

• All students enrolled at SUNY Geneseo 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. 

SUNY Geneseo 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. 

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 determinations are made only by designated institutional offices, which include the Dean of Students, 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 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 Geneseo 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. 

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. 

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. 

SUNY Geneseo provides regular training to employees regarding: 

• FERPA requirements and exceptions; 
• This notification policy; and 
• Appropriate reporting and escalation procedures. 

Questions regarding this policy or its implementation should be directed to: 

Dean of Students Office
deanstu@geneseo.edu or 585-245-5706