Senate Bill No. 297–Senator Titus

March 3, 1999

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Referred to Committee on Judiciary

 

SUMMARY—Prohibits hazing at colleges and universities in this state. (BDR 15-712)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: Yes.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: No.

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to crimes; prohibiting hazing at colleges and universities in this state; providing a penalty; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 200 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2 new section to read as follows:

1-3 1. A person who engages or conspires to engage in hazing is guilty

1-4 of:

1-5 (a) A misdemeanor, if no substantial bodily harm results.

1-6 (b) A gross misdemeanor, if substantial bodily harm results.

1-7 2. Consent of a victim of hazing is not a valid defense to a

1-8 prosecution conducted pursuant to this section.

1-9 3. As used in this section, "hazing" means any method of initiation

1-10 into a student organization at a college or university in this state or any

1-11 other conduct engaged in by a member of a student organization at a

1-12 college or university in this state that intentionally or recklessly

1-13 endangers the mental or physical health of another person. The term

1-14 includes, without limitation:

1-15 (a) Any physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, branding,

1-16 forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of

1-17 food, liquor, drugs or other substances, or any other brutal treatment or

1-18 forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical

1-19 health of the person; and

2-1 (b) Any activity that subjects the person to extreme mental stress, such

2-2 as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct

2-3 that is likely to result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced

2-4 activity that is likely to adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the

2-5 person.

2-6 Sec. 2. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to offenses

2-7 that were committed before October 1, 1999.

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