The bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2025, imposes new federal requirements on colleges and universities nationwide, obligating them to track, report, and publicly disclose hazing incidents. The law is designed to enhance transparency and prioritize student safety on campuses across the United States. Higher education institutions should engage and collaborate with legal counsel to navigate the act’s requirements and intersections with existing statutory and regulatory frameworks.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act amends the Higher Education Act and requires institutions participating in Title IV programs to include hazing incidents in their annual security reports (often referred to as a Clery report). The act also requires institutions to publish a new, annual Campus Hazing Transparency Report. In this way, the law aims to create a national standard for hazing incident reporting, complementing existing state laws.
A National Definition for Hazing
The new act provides an overarching, nationally applicable definition of hazing which may differ significantly from existing state or local laws.
Hazing is "any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person against a student (regardless of that student's willingness to participate)," that:
- Is connected with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, an organization (such as a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority).
- Causes or is likely to contribute to a substantial risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization, of physical injury, mental harm, or degradation.
Critical Dates, Deadlines, and Reporting Requirements
The act requires institutions to publish comprehensive hazing policies and procedures by June 23, 2025. A summary of additional requirements include:
Key Takeaways for Higher Education Institutions
- Compliance with the Stop Campus Hazing Act is mandatory for higher education institutions participating in Title IV programs.
- Institutions must ensure their hazing policies and procedures are clearly defined and publicly accessible.
- Regular updates to the Campus Hazing Transparency Report are required to maintain transparency and provide critical information to students and families.
- Failure to comply with these requirements could result in penalties and loss of Title IV funding.
- Colleges and universities should engage experienced legal counsel to prepare requisite policies and procedures, develop reporting and publication frameworks, and ensure compliance with these statutory requirements.
This new federal legislation underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent and address hazing on college and university campuses.
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