Klobuchar, Cassidy, Brown, Casey Introduce Legislation to Address Hazing on College Campuses

Press Release

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Bob Casey (D-PA), reintroduced legislation to address hazing on college campuses. The Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act would require hazing incidents to be reported as part of a college's annual crime report and establish a definition of hazing to clarify what constitutes a reportable offense. The legislation would also require institutions to establish a campus-wide, research-based program to educate students about the dangers of hazing. Since 2000, there have been more than 50 hazing-related deaths on America's college campuses.

Companion legislation is led in the House of Representatives by Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA) and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA).

"Hazing is a dangerous--and at times deadly--problem on college campuses, and we must work to end it," said Klobuchar. "This legislation will require colleges and universities to include hazing as part of their annual crime reports, giving us a comprehensive and accurate understanding of hazing so we can create effective measures to address it."

"Education and accountability are required to end hazing. The REACH act does," said Cassidy. "This keeps students safer which increases parents peace of mind."

"We have a collective responsibility to protect and support Ohio students -- that means addressing the hazing that pervades college campuses," said Brown. "Hazing should never be taken lightly and cannot be tolerated. By helping to lay the groundwork for students and educators to identify and report hazing, we can provide important tools to prevent this abuse in the first place."

"Every year, hundreds of students are hurt or killed by hazing on college campuses, yet information and data of these acts often goes unreported," said Casey. "The Report and Educate About Campus Hazing (REACH) Act would ensure hazing is appropriately reported as crimes and that students are educated on the dangers of hazing. I also want to express my sincere condolences to the Piazza and Braham families--who lost their college-age children to hazing--and thank them for their tireless advocacy to stop hazing and prevent other families from losing their loved ones to these horrific acts."

"The impacts of hazing on young people across our country are heartbreaking and unacceptable, and we have a duty to ensure that schools are a safe environment for our students," said McBath. "By setting national standards for anti-hazing programs, we can protect the health and safety of our students and ensure they learn and live in a positive, secure environment."

"As a father, grandfather, and former professor, the wellbeing of students has always one of my top priorities. I am proud to work with Congresswoman McBath and Senator Klobuchar on this important legislation. The REACH Act would most importantly add hazing to the list of campus offenses that are disclosed in a higher education institution's Annual Security Report. Hazing is a serious crime, and full transparency of these incidences should be made available to parents and students. The Clery Act currently does not list hazing as a reportable offense, but the REACH Act would close this loophole. My heart goes out to the families that have suffered from incidences of hazing. It is time that we take this important step to protect our students," said Lowenthal.