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Beau's Law Policy

What is Beau's Law?

Beau’s Law” was enacted in memory of Beau Miller, a college student who died in 2022 from an accidental fentanyl overdose.

Prior to his death, Beau experienced overdose incidents while at college, and his family remained unaware of those events and related alcohol or drug violations. His family has stated that earlier communication may have provided an opportunity to intervene and subsequently advocated for reforms to improve communication in these situations.

Beau’s Law was created to address this gap in communication. It is intended to increase transparency around when institutions may notify parents, guardians, or emergency contacts when students under the age of 21 are involved in serious alcohol- or drug-related incidents, and to support the health and safety of students. The law took effect on July 1, 2026.

New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s law)

Notification of Parent, Guardian, or Emergency Contact for Alcohol and Controlled Substance Violations

Alfred State College 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), Alfred State College 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 andNew York State Education Law §6438-d, this policy establishes the framework under which Alfred State College 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 Alfred State College exercises its discretion under FERPA and applicable New York State law.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All students enrolled at Alfred State College 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

Alfred State College 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 will be notified, when possible, when a student under the age of 21 is involved in an alcohol- or controlled substance-related incident that results in medical transport for emergency evaluation or treatment, including but not limited to hospitalization or suspected overdose.

In addition, the College may, on a case-by-case basis, notify a parent, guardian, or emergency contact when a student under the age of 21 is involved in other alcohol- or controlled substance-related violations or incidents, including but not limited to violations of institutional rules or policies, violations of law, or other situations that raise concerns for the student’s health or safety.

Such determinations will be made by authorized institutional offices in accordance with this policy, FERPA, and applicable law.

Notification Authority and Process

Notification determinations are made only by authorized institutional offices. At Alfred State, notification to a parent, guardian, or emergency contact will typically be made by: 

  • University Police, particularly in cases involving emergency response or medical transport;
  • The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; 
  • The Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards; and/or
  • Health and Wellness Services, as appropriate based on the circumstances 

Individual faculty or staff members do not contact a parent, guardian, or emergency contact unless specifically authorized to do so through this process.

All notifications are made in accordance with this policy, applicable federal and state law, and institutional procedures. Notification will occur in cases involving medical transport due to alcohol or controlled substance use and may occur in other circumstances as described above.

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.

Alfred State College 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 would compromise health or safety or interfere 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

Alfred State College provides regular training to employees regarding:

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

Emergency Contact Information 

To support timely communication in emergency situations, students are encouraged to maintain accurate and current emergency contact information. The College relies on this information to carry out notifications under this policy and cannot guarantee notification if it is incomplete, inaccurate, or unavailable.

Students may update their emergency contact information by following the steps below:

  1. Log In
    • Go to the Alfred State student portal (my.Alfredstate.edu)
    • Sign in with your network username and password

       
  2. Navigate to your personal information
    • Locate the “Personal Information” card 
    • Click on “Open General Dashboard”

       
  3. Emergency Contacts
    • Scroll down to the Emergency Contacts section
    • Select:
      • Add New, or
      • Edit next to an existing contact
    • Enter/Update 
      • Name
      • Relationship
      • Phone Number(s)
    • Click Add

Questions

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

Questions or assistance with updating student emergency contact information or accessing BannerWeb may be directed to: