FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristen Sweeney, Director of Communications, Clery Center at [email protected]
Date: September 24, 2024

 

Bipartisan "Stop Campus Hazing Act" Passes House, Advances to Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a significant step toward addressing the dangers of hazing on college campuses, the bipartisan Stop Campus Hazing Act (H.R. 5646, S. 2901) has passed the House of Representatives and is now moving to the Senate for consideration. Co-led by Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Jeff Duncan (R-SC) in the House and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) in the Senate, the bill represents a unified, bipartisan effort to improve campus safety nationwide.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act builds on the momentum of two previous bills—the Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act and the End All Hazing Act—to create a more comprehensive approach to preventing and reporting hazing incidents. Over 50 organizations, including Clery Center, StopHazing, SAFE Campuses LLC, the American College Health Association (ACHA), the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values, and the Anti-Hazing Coalition, have endorsed the bill.

Since 2017, Clery Center has played a key role in shaping federal anti-hazing legislation, driven by the advocacy of board members Julie and Gary DeVercelly, whose son Gary DeVercelly Jr. was tragically killed by hazing in 2007. “Over the past 35 years, the Clery Act has fundamentally transformed campus safety by requiring crucial measures to improve transparency and prevent harm,” said Jessica A. Mertz, executive director of Clery Center. “The passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act marks a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to create environments that prioritize the safety and well-being of the campus community. Today, we not only honor the many lives lost to hazing, but we recognize the harmful impact that hazing culture continues to have across the country.” 

The Stop Campus Hazing Act will amend the Clery Act by introducing three critical requirements for institutions of higher education (IHEs):

  • Hazing Reporting: IHEs must report known incidents of hazing in their Annual Security Report and submit these statistics annually to the Department of Education.
  • Transparency Report: IHEs must maintain a publicly accessible transparency report, detailing their hazing policies and listing organizations that have violated those policies.
  • Prevention Programs: IHEs are required to offer research-informed, campus-wide hazing prevention programs.

“Policy is a vital component of harm prevention, and I’m confident this research-informed bipartisan bill will make a substantial difference in transforming campus hazing culture,” said Elizabeth J. Allan, Ph.D., Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine and Principal at StopHazing. “Research shows that many students are uninformed about hazing, so I’m especially encouraged that the bill includes a requirement to educate students about the dangers of hazing.”

Additionally, the bill will rename the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act to reflect its broader scope, which now addresses hazing as part of campus crime prevention.

Advocacy Driven by Family Losses

This legislation has been shaped by the tireless advocacy of families who have lost loved ones to hazing. Members of Congress who supported the bill have often been personally touched by these tragedies in their districts, including the co-leads, Representatives McBath and Duncan.

"[This bill is] about empowering students and families so that they can make an informed decision for themselves about what school they or their loved one attends or the club they may join and hopefully save their lives.," said Representative McBath. "I know the pain of losing a child. The only thing that we can do now is try to harness our pain and do something positive with it."

The dedication of the families raising awareness and the commitment of their representatives has played an essential role in advancing the Stop Campus Hazing Act and preventing future tragedies. “Students should feel safe no matter what school they choose,” shared Senator Cassidy. “The Stop Campus Hazing Act improves transparency and ensures hazing is never ignored.” 

Senate Poised to Act on Critical Campus Safety Legislation

The Stop Campus Hazing Act now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to garner further bipartisan support. Advocates are hopeful that the bill will continue its momentum and reach President Biden's desk for signing into law.

“When parents send their kids away to college, they expect they will get a good education and make new friends. Unfortunately, too many are also exposed to hazing, a dangerous—and at times deadly—problem,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation will improve hazing prevention efforts on college campuses to make sure we have the information we need to stop this abuse and keep students safe.”

The passage of this bill in the House marks a historic moment in the fight against hazing on college campuses. Once signed into law, this legislation will build upon the Clery Act’s existing framework to enhance institutional policies, procedures, and prevention efforts, and promote a deeper understanding of hazing’s devastating impact.

“Hazing has almost become an acceptable part of college culture,” said Representative Thompson during the House Committee on Education & the Workforce Markup. “Let me be clear today: Those days are over.”