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La. House Passes Bill Making Hazing A Felony

Courtesy: Advocate Newspaper

HAZING BILL -   College hazing is in the news again but this time it’s the penalty for hazing which was the focus  this week in Louisiana’s House of Representatives as lawmakers considered a bill that would make Hazing a felony in Louisiana. The bill was presented by Rep. Nancy Landry – Republican from Lafayette… she explained to lawmakers that current laws made hazing just a misdemeanor. "Currently it's $10 to $100 fine for hazing and up to a 30-day sentence in jail," explained Rep. Nancy Landry (R-Lafayette).

Rep. Landry decided to author the legislation following the death of Maxwell Gruver, an LSU student who died during an alleged hazing ritual in September at the  Phi Delta Theta fraternity house ,  the 18 year old had a blood alcohol level of 6 – times the legal limit. 

Credit Courtesy: La. House of Representatives
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Courtesy: La. House of Representatives
Rep. Nancy Landry (R) Lafayette, LA

Several students were charged in the incident, four were charged with negligent homicide. Rep. Landry says that punishment is "woefully inadequate”  under the old statute but that her bill, would make it so a person convicted of hazing could face five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 when someone is seriously injured or killed. The same fine would apply to organizations, like a fraternity, if they knew hazing was going on, but failed to alert law enforcement.

"That's why we have criminal laws," Landry told members of the House of Representatives Monday, "we have them to deter, to punish and to raise awareness. And I think this bill does all three of those things."
There was some debate over having yet another law on the books as Rep Larry Bagley , Republican from Stonewall questioned the need.

"We can't legislate all of it, and to me," Bagley said, "this seems like we're maybe trying to do that." Bagley pointed out that hazing doesn't just happen between students on a college campus, but could take place in groups not associated with an educational institution, which this bill specifically addresses.

Credit Courtesy: The Advocate
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Courtesy: The Advocate
Maxwell Gruver - LSU freshman who died during hazing ritual in September 2017.

Landry says the measure focuses on hazing at universities because that's where it occurs most frequently. The bill passed unanimously and was backed 87-0 Monday, followed by a round of applause. Rep.  Landry’s  Hazing Bill is headed to the Senate for consideration.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.