Bill > H1263

This bill significantly increases penalties for hazing, particularly for students residing in designated handicapped housing at secondary or post-secondary residential schools. It establishes that any student participating in hazing, as defined by law, who lives in such housing will face a minimum fine of $5,000, a minimum prison sentence of three years, and forfeiture of scholarship funds. Furthermore, students who participate in hazing, bullying, or other harmful acts against disabled students entitled to live in designated handicapped housing will be automatically expelled and barred from attending any residential school in Massachusetts. The bill also mandates disability sensitivity training for non-disabled students who wish to share designated handicapped housing with disabled students, requiring them to receive a copy of the anti-hazing law and understand their relocation rights and the school's obligations for room changes. The definition of hazing is expanded to explicitly include conduct that endangers the physical or mental health of any person, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest, isolation, or invasion of privacy, especially within shared handicapped housing or other school-owned residential facilities.