Death of Penn State fraternity pledge Timothy Piazza triggers anti-hazing bill
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BELLEFONTE, Pa. — A Pennsylvania lawmaker has proposed a bill that would make severe hazing a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison — and fraternity houses where the hazing happened subject to confiscation.
Flanked by the family of Timothy Piazza, the 19-year-old who died after an alcohol-fueled fraternity pledge event at Penn State University last year, state Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman said Friday that the new bill would create “tiers” of hazing offenses. That means hazing could be a third-degree misdemeanor if it resulted in bodily injury and a third-degree felony if it resulted in serious bodily injury or death.
“This is something that’s been extremely important because under current law dealing with hazing, prosecutors can only charge M2s, misdemeanor twos, which may not reflect the severity of the crime,” Corman, a Republican, told reporters.
