Universities would report hazing online under House bill
By Scott L. Miley Cnhi, Statehouse Reporter
February 18, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS — Legislation concerning hazing incidents was tightened Monday by removing a provision requiring reports to be submitted to the state.
The bill had been opposed by Indiana and Purdue universities, among others, for a requirement that their reports go to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The bill now allows the commission to help develop anti-hazing programs for colleges but leaves the organization out of gathering reports.
House Bill 1526 was passed 13-0 by the Education Committee and will move to third reading.
The bill was amended to exempt Ivy Tech Community College from reporting and requires online hazing incident updates before fall and spring semesters from all other colleges receiving state funding.
Currently, Indiana University and Purdue post incidents online, but there is no required reporting procedure to the state.
The bill’s author, Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, will likely revise the legislation further amid concerns over proposed criminal penalties.
The bill creates the crime of contributory hazing, a Class A misdemeanor, for anyone, including officials of national organizations, that know but fail to report that hazing is being practiced by any social or academic group.
“I actually hate to get into setting felonies in Education Committee,” said Rep. Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, and chair of the committee. “I think that should be done more by Public Policy rather than by us.”
Under current Indiana law, anyone who performs hazing can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. That would be raised to Class A by the bill. Also, a person who performs hazing could be charged with a Level 6 felony if it results in death or significant bodily injury through alcohol consumption.
“If someone dies or even has serious brain impairment, we need to send a strong message,” Austin said.