Texas Senate approves crackdown on hazing
The state Senate, responding to a series of hazing-related deaths in Texas, approved legislation Thursday aimed at combating a persistent problem on college campuses.
The vote on Senate Bill 38 was 26-5, with Republicans Brandon Creighton of Conroe, Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills, Bryan Hughes of Mineola, Jane Nelson of Flower Mound and Charles Schwertner of Georgetown opposed. The measure now goes to the House, where similar legislation has been approved by the Higher Education Committee.
SB 38 would add coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs to the definition of hazing. The measure “ensures our college campuses are the safest possible centers for scholarship and community,” Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, the bill’s co-author, said.
An amendment added by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, removed language in the version passed by the Criminal Justice Committee that would have included in the definition of hazing an activity that “a reasonable person” would believe subjects a student to extreme mental stress, shame or humiliation. Barred, however, is any activity that induces or requires a student to perform a duty or task in violation of the state penal code.
Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190411/texas-senate-approves-crackdown-on-hazing
= new reply since forum marked as read
