Legal Definitions - antihazing statute

An antihazing statute is a law that prohibits any organization or its members from requiring a prospective member to do or submit to any act that presents a substantial risk of physical or mental harm as a condition of membership. This law is usually criminal in nature and is aimed at preventing hazing.

For example, in 1874, Congress passed the first antihazing statute to stop hazing by midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy. Since then, most states have passed their own antihazing statutes to protect individuals from being subjected to harmful hazing practices.

Another example of an antihazing statute is the Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Law, which was passed in Pennsylvania in 2018. This law was named after a Penn State student who died as a result of hazing. The law imposes stricter penalties on individuals and organizations that engage in hazing practices.

These examples illustrate how antihazing statutes are put in place to protect individuals from being subjected to harmful hazing practices. They also show that the consequences of violating these laws can be severe, including criminal charges and penalties.