Before he left office, President Joe Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act. This is the first federal anti-hazing law and is the culmination of a bipartisan effort to help states combat hazing. Before this act was signed into law, individual states attempted to handle the issue independently, with varying results.
Institutions of higher learning that receive federal student funding through the Title IV program must implement measures to combat hazing, address incidents when they occur and educate the public about the issue. Schools are also required by law to create anti-hazing programs and to keep track of which student organizations disobey the guidelines.
What is hazing?
The new anti-hazing law defines hazing as an intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a person against another person or persons during their initiation into, affiliation with, or maintenance of membership in a student organization. This includes clubs, athletic teams, fraternities and sororities. Doing so causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury above the reasonable risk encountered during participation in the institution or the organization.
How long do institutions have to comply?
To comply with Campus Hazing Transparency Report standards, colleges and institutions must create anti-hazing policies by June 23, 2025, and collect data by July 1, 2025. The report must be publicly available by December 23, 2025, and take effect in October 2026. By June 23, 2025, colleges and universities must have implemented and published anti-hazing and preventative policies.
What if my college student is charged with hazing?
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is bound to have serious consequences for students who break or ignore this act. Therefore, anyone who is charged with hazing needs to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.