House Bill No. by Representative Lafleur and Senators Boudreaux and Price, known as "The Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act," seeks to enhance hazing laws at public postsecondary education institutions in Louisiana. The bill amends R.S. 17:1801 to introduce new definitions of hazing, which include various forms of physical and emotional harm related to initiation into organizations. It mandates educational programs on hazing for students, particularly during new student orientation, and requires institutions to provide resources for alleged victims. The bill also repeals R.S. 17:1801.1, thereby streamlining the legal framework regarding hazing.

Furthermore, the legislation establishes new reporting requirements for organizations that take disciplinary action against members for hazing incidents, necessitating that institutions report these incidents to law enforcement and maintain a publicly accessible website detailing conduct findings and disciplinary actions. The Board of Regents is tasked with developing standardized reporting forms and ensuring uniform implementation of hazing prevention policies across institutions. The bill emphasizes education, reporting, and transparency, while also outlining penalties for noncompliance, including a two-year prohibition on institutions from incurring debt for failure to adhere to the provisions, and severe penalties for organizations found in violation, particularly in cases resulting in death.

Statutes affected:
HB636 Original: