Bill > HB978

This bill aims to clarify the definition of hazing and increase penalties for organizations that fail to report hazing incidents. The key provisions are: 1. Defines "hazing" as any intentional or reckless act that endangers the physical or mental health of a person, done as part of joining or maintaining membership in an organization. This includes physical brutality, forced activities, and forced consumption of substances. 2. Requires organizations to report any known hazing incidents to the education institution and conduct a timely investigation. Failure to report can result in fines, loss of public funding, or loss of organizational privileges for up to 4 years if the hazing results in serious injury or alcohol poisoning. 3. Creates a new "hazing in the third degree" offense, which is a felony punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and 5 years in prison, if the hazing results in serious injury, death, or alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 30%. 4. Prohibits the use of consent as a defense to hazing, and states that the provisions of the act apply to the organization, not the victim.

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http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2020/pdf/history/HB/HB0978.xml