The NC Community College System offices in downtown Raleigh. (Photo: Google maps)
When 17-year-old Leon Gu died by suicide in 2020, his parents were shocked to learn they had been in the dark about an academic integrity issue he was facing at Wake Tech Community College, where he was dually enrolled. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college courses for credit.
Leon ended his life days after receiving a letter from the community college about an academic violation that jeopardized his acceptance to Duke University.
Now, Leon’s parents are advocating for a new bill in the North Carolina legislature to require community colleges to provide parents of minors with automatic access to their children’s educational records. These records, which include information such as grades, attendance, and disciplinary records, are currently not automatically shared with parents.
Leon’s mother, Lusia Li, said she only learned about the circumstances surrounding her son’s death from a police detective. “I was devastated, wondering why we as his parents were never informed,” Li said, fighting back tears as she testified on Wednesday before the state House Committee on Higher Education.
Dubbed “Leon’s Law,” the measure is designed to ensure parents of high school students taking college courses can provide guidance and intervene before small problems escalate.
Under current policy, parents are not automatically informed of their child’s academic performance or disciplinary matters. “This lack of communication can leave minors navigating serious academic challenges alone without the support they need,” state Rep. Ya Liu (D-Wake), a primary sponsor of the bill.
The legislation would require that community colleges grant parents access to their child’s records if the student is under 18 and a dependent, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Parents could opt out of receiving the information.
Supporters say the change is a commonsense step to protect vulnerable students as they navigate the transition to higher education. The meeting drew emotional testimony from Leon Gu’s family and other community members who knew him. They described as a gifted and dedicated student involved in music, sports, and volunteering.
Lawmakers are hopeful the measure can prevent similar tragedies. “This is a small but vital step to protect students and keep families informed,” said Rep. Liu. “We are grateful to the Li family for turning their grief into advocacy that will impact thousands of students.”
An amended version of the bill was approved, and the measure was forwarded to the House Judiciary 3 Committee. If enacted into law, it would become effective in the 2025-2026 academic year and will affect over 600,000 dual enrollment students in the state every year.