The bill amends Chapter 16-21 of the General Laws by adding a new section titled "Policy on addressing and prohibiting hazing in student athletics." It directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, to establish an anti-hazing policy aimed at addressing acts of hazing in student athletics. The policy emphasizes that hazing, bullying, and harassment have no place in any school environment and establishes a zero-tolerance stance on hazing, ensuring that disciplinary actions are transparent and consistently applied across the state.

The new policy will include definitions and illustrations of hazing, sanctions and penalties for students and student-athletes involved in hazing incidents—which may include suspension from a team and team-level consequences such as the cancellation of a team's season—and the recognition that consent is not a valid defense against hazing. Additionally, it will incorporate education and prevention components that align with statewide efforts on school climate, anti-bullying, and anti-hate initiatives in Rhode Island schools. Each student-athlete will be required to sign an acknowledgment of the policy prior to attending any team practices, meetings, games, or other functions, indicating that a violation of the policy may result in penalties and sanctions. All schools and school districts participating in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League will be subject to the provisions of this section and the anti-hazing policy. The act will take effect upon passage.