In December 2024, President Biden signed the first federal anti-hazing measure, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, into law. This law now requires colleges to compile and publish information on hazing incidents, whether reported to campus security or to local law enforcement. Colleges also must now have anti-hazing policies and hazing-prevention programs.

If you or someone you love has been charged with hazing in Pennsylvania, call the LLF Law Firm. We have a proven track record in student hazing defense and can help you. Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation today, or leave your details online, and we will contact you.

Hazing Definition in New Law

For the first time, there is a definition of hazing in federal law. The new law defines hazing as conduct that:

• Is intentional, knowing, or reckless.
• Is done either individually or in a group.
• Creates a risk of physical or psychological injury higher than typical group activities.
• Occurs during an initiation or affiliation with a group or organization.

The risk of injury, including psychological injury, is most central to this definition of hazing. The act notably does not require that the injury occur, only that the conduct creates an increased risk of injury.

Effect of New Law in Pennsylvania

Because Pennsylvania colleges are now required to report hazing incidents to the public, they will face greater pressure to discipline students for hazing. It will no longer be possible for colleges to deal with hazing incidents privately and without public knowledge. As a result, we expect that colleges and universities in Pennsylvania will increase reporting of hazing incidents to law enforcement. There will also be pressure to prosecute students for hazing incidents under Pennsylvania law.

Pennsylvania Hazing Law

Pennsylvania law defines hazing as intentional or reckless conduct during a group initiation ritual in which a student is forced to:

• Consume food, drink, drugs, or any substance which creates a risk of harm.
• Endure brutality of a physical nature.
• Endure brutality of a mental nature, including sleep deprivation, isolation, or extreme embarrassment.
• Endure brutality of a sexual nature.
• Endure any activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury.

Hazing is a misdemeanor if it results in or creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to a minor or student. If serious bodily injury occurs, Pennsylvania law “upgrades” hazing to a felony in the third degree.

While the new federal law defines hazing more broadly, the criminal definition of hazing in Pennsylvania will remain the same. (Remember that the new federal law is not a criminal law but a regulation concerning the reporting of hazing.) We do expect prosecutions in Pennsylvania to increase, however, as colleges and universities report hazing incidents at an increased rate.

If You Are Charged with Hazing

If you are charged with hazing in Pennsylvania, you must hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. The LLF Law Firm has assisted hundreds of students on campuses across the country who have been accused of hazing, and we deeply understand this issue. Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation today or visit us online.