Parental Notification Policy: New York’s Beau’s Law Effective Date Coming Up
Author: Andrea Stagg, Director of Consulting Services
On July 1, 2026, Beau’s Law goes into effect in New York. This law is now Education Law 129-a Section 6438-D. Beau’s Law requires institutions of higher education to publish its policy about notifying a parent, guardian, or emergency contact about a violation by a student under 21 for alcohol or controlled substance use or possession. “Violation” is a broad term under this law, and it includes rule infractions, violations of federal, state, or local, law, or controlled substance or alcohol related hospitalizations or overdoses. The policy must be published beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
Notice that the policy must be publicly accessible—not behind a login or portal or only sent out students by email. It may be that your institution has existing policies that describe potential notifications in the instance of alcohol or drug violations by someone underage; if so, review that policy and ensure it meets the requirements of this law.
What about FERPA? Recall that federal education privacy law permits a college or university to let parents of students under the age of 21 know when the student has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance. And FERPA also permits a school to disclose records to appropriate parties when there is a health and safety emergency, which could certainly include an overdose or hospitalization.
Remember that neither FERPA nor the New York law require that the institution notify parents—the notification is permissive. But Beau’s Law ensures that your policy about potential notification is publicized.
Beau’s Law also requires schools to conduct regular training on your FERPA policies and your Beau’s Law notification policy for employees with responsibilities related to FERPA compliance, student rule infractions and student discipline, controlled substance or alcohol disciplinary violations, and response to related hospitalizations or overdoses. The law does not address the frequency or length of the training. As for content, the training must at least include information about permissive disclosures under FERPA for health and safety emergencies, and how that impacts the institutions’ response to student alcohol or controlled substance related hospitalizations and overdoses.
For recent New York-related news posts, see the News | Perspectives page.
Contact Grand River Solutions for support in meeting the requirements of this new law, including policy review, policy drafting, and training development.
