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History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
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Relates to prohibiting physical contact or activity in any organization's initiating ceremony
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor David Weprin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S1591
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to prohibiting physical contact or activity in any organization's initiating ceremony
Purpose
To address the issues of hazing and reckless conduct that causes physical harm to students during the initiation or affiliation ceremonies of fraternities and other student organizations.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends 120.16 of the penal law, expanding rules regarding the prohibition against hazing to include a person is guilty of hazing in the first degree when in the course of another person's initiation into or affiliation with any organization when such person engages in intentionally or recklessly conduct. This includes engaging physical contact or requiring physical activity during the initiation or affiliation ceremonies, which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such other person or a third person and thereby causes such injury.
Justification
On December 8, 2013, Chen "Michael" Deng, a 19 year old college student attending Baruch College, died as the result of a hazing ritual known as 'glass ceiling', in which he suffered a massive head injury after he was blindfolded and forced to lug a knapsack loaded with 20 pounds of sand as fraternity members repeatedly took him down.
Although New York State currently has several laws in place to prohibit hazing, these incidents have not decreased. During the initiation or affiliation ceremonies of fraternities, students continue to be placed in a situation in which their own safety is jeopardized.
This bill would prevent the deaths or serious injuries of students by prohibiting all physical conduct and physical activities required from the fraternities during the pledging ceremonies. Under this legislation, those who engage in the reckless activities of hazing would be guilty of hazing the first degree.
Hazing incidents occurring on and off New York State campuses are intolerable and preventable. If implemented, this legislation would provide the necessary safety measures to deter harmful behavior and help ensure that all of the students attending New York State institutions are protected from the substantial risks caused by hazing.
Legislative history
2014 S.6337A/A.8426A.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.