By Lawrence Katz
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed House Bill 5646 that, if enacted into law, would require federally funded colleges and universities to publicly report hazing incidents while adopting new hazing prevention programs. Let our highly qualified student defense attorneys help you if you are a hazing victim or face hazing disciplinary charges. Call 833.536.8652 now to retain the LLG National Law Group’s premier education attorneys.
The House Bill’s Proposed Measures
House Bill 5646 would require colleges and universities to include hazing incidents in their annual public security reports, already required by the Jeanne Clery Act. The bill defines hazing as intentional or reckless acts initiating members into a campus organization, carrying a substantial risk of physical or mental injury, harm, or degradation.
House Bill 5646 would require colleges and universities to include in the annual public security report a description of its anti-hazing awareness and prevention program. That program must be research based and follow strict incident collection and reporting requirements. The tragic death of Penn State student Timothy Piazza in a fraternity initiation rite and his parents’ resulting anti-hazing advocacy spurred the bill’s drafting and introduction.
The House Bill’s Uncertain Status
Until now, anti-hazing measures have been at the state, not the federal, level. Yet House Bill 5646, with its proposed new federal anti-hazing measures, has only so far passed the House of Representatives. The bill currently sits in the Senate, which has not yet taken action. The bill may not advance before Congress adjourns and may not ultimately become law.
But House Bill 5646 has bipartisan support. Its bipartisan support, 58 co-sponsors, prompt reporting out of the House committee on a 28 to 2 vote, and prompt House passage suggests a reasonable probability of Senate adoption. If instead the bill dies, the same factors suggest its likely reintroduction and a good probability of eventual passage.
The House Bill’s Potential Campus Impact
The Public Clery Act reports federal law already requires to which House Bill 5646 would add hazing incidents to provide consumer information influencing students and their parents on college choices. College and university officials know that having to report hazing incidents could affect enrollment. If the bill passes, expect campus officials to crack down on hazing activities.
Hazing victims deserve protection. They may also deserve compensation for hazing harm. Yet appropriate pressure to eliminate hazing and its risks should not result in false, unfair, or exaggerated campus disciplinary charges against innocent students. Our student defense lawyers can help students on either side of the issue, whether hazing victims or students facing hazing disciplinary charges.
Premier Education Attorneys
The LLG National Law Group offers premier student defense lawyers with the skills and experience to help you address your hazing or hazing disciplinary charge issues. We have helped hundreds of students nationwide on hazing and other issues. Call 833.536.8652 now for the highly qualified representation you need.