Alabama code section 16-1-23. Hazing prohibited; penalty.
Definition
Hazing is defined as follows:
- Any willful action taken or situation created, whether on or off any school, college, university or other educational premises, which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any student, or
- Any willful act on or off any school, college, university or other educational premises by any person alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening or attempting to strike, beat, bruise or main, or to do or seriously offer, threaten or attempt to do physical violence to any student of any such educational institution or any assault upon any such students made for the purpose of committing any of the acts or producing any of the result to such student as defined in this section.
- The term hazing as defined in this section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization. The term hazing does not include corporal punishment administered by officials or employees of public schools when in accordance with policies adopted by local boards of education.
No person shall engage in what is commonly known and recognized as hazing, or encourage, aid or assist any other person thus offending. No person shall knowingly permit, encourage, aid or assist any person in committing the offense of hazing, or willfully acquiesce in the commission of such offense, or fail to report promptly his or her knowledge or any reasonable information within or her knowledge of the presence and practice of hazing in this state to the chief executive officer of the appropriate school, college, university or other educational institution in this state. Any act of omission or commission shall be deemed hazing under the provisions of this section.
Penalty
Alabama law defines hazing as a Class C misdemeanor in Title 13A.
According to the law, individuals, organizations and institutions found guilty of hazing or knowingly permitting hazing forfeit their entitlement to public funds, scholarships or awards and will lose their approvals granted by the University.
Credits
- Acts 1981, No. 81-824, p. 1466, §§ 1-6
- Alabama Code 1975 § 16-1-23, AL ST § 16-1-23