ATLANTA — A bipartisan bill to ban hazing on college campuses moved forward Thursday. After passing in the U.S. House of Representatives in September, the U.S. Senate passed the Stop Campus Hazing Act as well.
The bill, sponsored by Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath, as well as a bipartisan coalition from several states and in both chambers, is another step toward combatting what McBath’s office calls dangerous practices for students on college campuses.
“I know what it’s like to lose a loved one to violence—no parent should ever have to bury their child. This bill empowers students and their families to make informed decisions about the schools they attend and the organizations they join. That information could be life-saving,” McBath said in a statement. “Our bipartisan legislation helps make sure that schools have the tools they need to foster safe learning environments. I am proud to see the Senate send this critical legislation to the President’s desk, and I thank my colleagues for their continued commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our students.”
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
TRENDING STORIES:
- Man’s electrocution while trimming trees in Cobb County could’ve been prevented, OSHA says
- Victims across the country come forward after having money stolen from Fidelity retirement accounts
- What we know about Luigi Mangione, Ivy League grad and person of interest in CEO’s murder
The legislation would change how colleges and universities in the United States are required to report hazing incidents each year, as well as create a uniform definition of what counts as hazing on campus.
Additionally, schools would be required to implement hazing prevention programs for students, faculty and staff and add reporting requirements and new anti-hazing rules at the school and state levels.
“With the Stop Campus Hazing Act passing in the Senate, we’re one step closer to saving lives like Tucker Hipps and other students tragically killed in a suspected incidents of campus hazing. I applaud my colleagues as we honor Tucker’s memory. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation mandates greater transparency in fraternity hazing reporting,” South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan said.
According to the organization, StopHazing, 44 of the 50 states have anti-hazing laws in place. But these laws vary significantly. The organization says some statutes focus only on hazing at the collegiate level, while others expand to include other groups.
Now that the Senate has passed the bill, with a unanimous consent vote and without amendment, the bill has been sent back to the House, pushing it closer to the president’s desk for approval or veto.
If it is approved and passes into law, it would be the first federal law to address hazing on college campuses nationwide.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2024 Cox Media Group
