U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has announced that his Stop Campus Hazing Act has been signed into law, marking the first national anti-hazing legislation in the United States. The bill, which was passed unanimously by Congress, aims to enhance the reporting and prevention of hazing incidents on college campuses.
Senator Cassidy’s efforts to address hazing were motivated by the tragic death of Max Gruver, a Louisiana State University student who died due to hazing at a fraternity event in September 2017. Following this incident, the Gruver family established the Max Gruver Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending hazing.
“Students should feel safe no matter what school they choose,” stated Dr. Cassidy. “With this new law, we ensure hazing is never ignored. I appreciate the tireless work of the Gruver family, and all advocates, who were instrumental in getting this bill across the finish line.”
The Stop Campus Hazing Act includes several key measures:
– It mandates colleges to report hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report.
– It establishes campus-wide education and prevention programs based on research.
– It requires colleges to publish their hazing prevention policies and list organizations that have violated them on their websites, helping students and parents make informed decisions about joining campus organizations.
