Klobuchar, Cassidy Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Hazing on College Campuses Passes Senate, Will be Signed into Law

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced their Stop Campus Hazing Act to improve the reporting and prevention of hazing on college campuses has passed the U.S. Senate. This bipartisan legislation would require colleges to include hazing incidents in their annual campus safety report and establish a campus-wide, research-based program to educate students about the dangers of hazing. In addition, the bill would increase transparency and accountability by providing parents and students with better information about a student organization's history of hazing incidents. The bill is championed by Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Jeff Duncan (R-SC) in the House of Representatives.

"When parents send their kids away to college, they expect they will get a good education and make new friends. They don't expect them to be harassed and hazed. Unfortunately, hazing is a dangerous-and at times deadly-reality, and we must work to end it," said Sen. Klobuchar. "Our bipartisan legislation to improve hazing prevention efforts on college campuses has now passed the Senate, and heads to the president's desk for signature, and I'll keep working to stop this abuse and keep students safe."

"Every student should feel safe on their college campus," said Dr. Cassidy. "By increasing transparency, the Stop Campus Hazing Act ensures that hazing is never ignored. Proud to see this legislation pass Congress and look forward to it becoming law."

"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," said Rep. Lucy McBath. "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."

"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," said Rep. Jeff Duncan

This Stop Campus Hazing Act is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Casey (D-PA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Angus King (I-ME), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

The National Study of Student Hazing found that more than half of college students involved in extracurricular clubs, athletic teams, and organizations experience hazing. Since 2000, there have been more than 50 hazing-related deaths.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act would:

• Improve hazing reporting by requiring colleges to include hazing incidents in their Annual Security Report;
• Prevent hazing by establishing campus-wide, research-based hazing education and prevention programs; and
• Help students and their parents make informed decisions about joining organizations on campus by requiring colleges to publish on their websites the institution's hazing prevention policies and the organizations that have violated them.

This bipartisan, evidence-informed legislation is supported by the more than 50 organizations Clery Center; StopHazing; Anti-Hazing Coalition including the Hazing Prevention Network, Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, National Panhellenic Conference and its member sororities, the North American Interfraternity Conference and its member fraternities; National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.; Association of Big Ten Students; College Safety Coalition; SAFE Campuses, LLC; International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators; National Association of Clery Compliance Officers and Professionals; University of Minnesota, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, and the parents of hazing victims.

Klobuchar has been a leader in the fight to end hazing.

Last year, Klobuchar and Cassidy introduced the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act and the first ever congressional resolution designating "National Hazing Awareness Week."

The 2024 National Hazing Awareness Week resolution is cosponsored by Bob Casey (D-PA), James Lankford (R-OK), Senators Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Joe Manchin (I-WV).

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