Sam鈥檚 Law (H.B. 1751) was enacted after Sam Martinez, a first-year fraternity pledge at Washington State University, died from acute alcohol poisoning during a big/little reveal in November 2019. His death resulted from a fraternity tradition.
Definition
Hazing includes any act committed as part of a person鈥檚 recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime that is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student. This includes causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person鈥檚 willingness to participate ().听
Education
The 天美影视传媒 shall provide students and employees with an annual educational program on hazing. The program should include information on hazing prevention, awareness, intervention, and the university’s hazing policy.聽
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The 天美影视传媒 will develop and operate a hazing prevention committee to promote and address hazing prevention. The committee should compromise students, faculty/staff, and at least one parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the university. Half of the committee should comprise of students.
Employee Reporting
University employees, including student employees, must report a hazing concern if they believe it has occurred or have reasonable cause to believe it will happen. According to the law, 鈥淩easonable cause鈥� means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or potential or planned hazing activity. ()
To report a hazing concern, please select your campus below.聽
Public Violations
The 天美影视传媒 will maintain and publicly report findings of hazing violations by any student organization, athletic team, or living group. The report will include any violations of the code of conduct, anti-hazing policies, or state or federal laws relating to hazing or offenses related to alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, or physical assault.
The report should include the following information:聽
- The name of the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
- The date the investigation was initiated;
- The date on which the investigation ended with a finding that a violation occurred;
- A description of the incident or incidents, including the date of the initial violation, and the violations, findings, and sanctions placed on the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
- The details of the sanction or sanctions imposed, including the beginning and end dates of the sanction or sanctions; and聽
- The date the student organization, athletic team, or living group was charged with a violation.
Any hazing violation of a student organization, athletic team, or living group should be made public for at least five (5) years.聽
Social fraternities and sororities聽
Sam’s Law outlines specific requirements of social fraternities and sororities at both the headquarters and local chapter levels. These requirements are listed below, and failure to follow these sections shall result in automatic loss of recognition until the organization comes into compliance with the subsections.
Chapter operation
Social fraternity and sorority organizations must notify the university before chartering, rechartering, or operating a local chapter.
Headquarters Investigation
The headquarters shall tell the university when they open an investigation of the local chapter for potential violation of hazing policies, such as furnishing alcohol to minors. The organization must provide a report to the university after its investigation concludes.
Social media
Local chapters that maintain or own their website must post any violation of anti-hazing policies, state or federal laws relating to hazing, alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, or physical assault, or the code of conduct from the last five (5) years.
Penalty for hazing behavior