Beau’s Law (Alcohol and Controlled Substance Notification Policy)

Purpose

Rockland Community College (RCC or the College) is committed to promoting student health and safety while maintaining compliance with applicable federal and state laws. In accordance with FERPA and New York State Education Law §6438-d (Beau’s law), the College maintains a policy regarding the notification of a parent, guardian, or emergency contact when a student under the age of twenty-one is involved in alcohol or controlled substance-related incidents.

This policy provides transparency regarding institutional practices and supports timely and appropriate response to student health and safety concerns.

Scope

This policy applies to all students under the age of twenty-one enrolled at Rockland Community College and addresses incidents involving:

• Alcohol use or possession
• Controlled substances
• Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including hospitalization or overdose
• Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.

Notification of Parent, Guardian, or Emergency Contact

The College may notify a parent, guardian, or designated emergency contact of a student under the age of twenty-one when the student is involved in:

• Violations of College policy related to alcohol or controlled substances
• Violations of federal, state, or local law involving alcohol or controlled substances
• Alcohol or controlled substance-related medical emergencies, including hospitalization or overdose
• Other situations presenting a serious risk to the student’s health or safety.

Determinations regarding notification will be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to the health and safety of the student, the severity of the incident, and applicable legal standards.

Notification determinations are made only by designated institutional offices, which may include Student Affairs or other authorized officials. Individual faculty or staff members do not contact parents, guardians, or emergency contacts unless specifically authorized.

Compliance with FERPA

All notifications made pursuant to this policy will be consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, including the health and safety emergency exception, when applicable. FERPA permits institutions of higher education to disclose personally identifiable information 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.

The College will limit disclosure to information necessary to address the health or safety concern and will disclose such information only to appropriate parties.

Emergency Situations

In situations involving hospitalization, overdose, or other significant risk to the student’s health or safety, the College may notify a parent, guardian, or emergency contact without prior consent of the student, in accordance with FERPA.

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.

Emergency Contact Information

Students are responsible for maintaining accurate and current emergency contact information with the College. The College may rely on the designated emergency contact when notification is determined to be appropriate.

Training

In accordance with Beau’s Law, the College will conduct regular training for relevant administrators and staff regarding:

• Requirements of FERPA, including the health and safety emergency exception
• Institutional response to alcohol and controlled substance-related incidents
• Appropriate protocols for notification and communication

The College will determine the frequency and scope of such training.

Interpretation and Revision

Any question of interpretation of this policy shall be referred to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, or designee, whose interpretation shall be final.

This policy shall be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary to comply with applicable federal and state laws, including Beau’s Law, and guidance from the State University of New York.