Summary
Makes colleges and universities report hazing incidents in their yearly security reports and create programs to prevent hazing.
What problem does this solve?
Hazing incidents at colleges often go unreported, leaving students and parents unaware of the dangers within some student groups. This law makes schools publicly report these incidents and create programs to stop hazing before it starts.
Who does this affect?
- College and university students
- Student organizations (fraternities, sororities, athletic teams)
- Higher education institutions
What does this law do?
Requires reporting of hazing statistics
Adds hazing incidents to the list of crimes that colleges must include in their annual security reports.
Creates a public hazing report
Requires schools to create a publicly available 'Campus Hazing Transparency Report' that lists student groups found responsible for hazing violations.
Defines hazing
Establishes a detailed definition of hazing. It includes any act that creates a risk of physical or mental harm as part of joining or staying in a student group.
Mandates hazing prevention programs
Requires schools to create and share their policies on hazing prevention. This includes programs to stop hazing before it happens, such as bystander intervention training.
Protects student privacy
Forbids the public hazing reports from including any names or information that could identify individual students.
Defines student organization broadly
Applies the rules to any student group, including clubs, sports teams, fraternities, and sororities, even if the school does not officially recognize them.
What is the real world impact?
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Increases transparency about campus safety
Forces colleges to publicly report hazing incidents. This allows students and parents to make more informed decisions about which student organizations to join.
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Protects students from dangerous activities
Aims to prevent physical and mental harm to students. Makes hazing prevention a formal part of campus policy and holds student organizations responsible for their actions.
When does this start?
This law has several different start dates for its various requirements.
General effective date
The law's changes take effect 6 months after it is signed on December 23, 2024.
Start of hazing statistics collection
Schools must begin collecting statistics on hazing incidents by January 1, 2025.
First public transparency report
Schools must publish their first 'Campus Hazing Transparency Report' on their websites no later than December 23, 2025.
Start of transparency report data collection
Schools must begin collecting information for the public transparency report by July 1, 2025.