Bill Would Crack Down On Campus Hazing

Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry is proposing a bill that would substantially increase legal penalties for campus hazing related incidents, in response to the 2017 death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver. Hazing is currently covered by education statues, and not criminal statues, and carries a fine of 100 dollars or less, plus a possible 30 days in jail. Landry’s bill would change that.

“The bill that I’m proposing would make it a crime and up the penalty to 1,000 dollars and six months in jail.”

Under the proposed legislation, if the incident involves serious injuries, or death, the penalty would escalate to 10,000 dollars and five years in jail.

Landry says the current penalties are far too low for such a dangerous activity.

“It’s just a slap on the wrist, and I think that by increasing the penalties to the people that engage in this activity that this is a crime.”

Under current law, Landry says fraternities, sororities, or other school organizations are rarely held liable in the event of a hazing related death. Landry says that needs to change.

“It actually would hold the organization responsible and it provides for a 100,000 dollar fine if any officer knew that hazing was occurring.”