Understanding Louisiana’s Anti-Hazing Laws: Protecting Students and Strengthening Communities

Education should be empowering—never life‑threatening. Louisiana’s toughest‑in‑the‑nation anti‑hazing statutes are designed to keep it that way. Below we break down what’s new, what penalties you could face, and how Johnson Carroll Law can help if hazing touches your campus.

A 60‑Second Timeline

Year	Milestone	Impact
2017	Maxwell Gruver tragedy at LSU	Sparked statewide outrage; led to Max Gruver Act¹
2018	HB 78 passes	Felony charges (up to 5 yrs + $10k) for hazing that causes injury²
2020	SB 91 (Exemplary Damages)	Families may sue for punitive damages³
2022	HB 446 (Medical Amnesty)	Failure to seek help = separate felony⁴
2025 (pending)	Caleb Wilson Act	Would tighten university‑reporting deadlines⁵

What Counts as Hazing?

Intentional acts that endanger someone’s physical or emotional safety in connection with joining or maintaining membership in any organization—fraternities, sports teams, bands, you name it. Examples:

• Physical abuse (beatings, branding)

• Forced consumption of alcohol or drugs

• Sleep‑, food‑, or hygiene‑deprivation rituals

• “Hell Week” activities that cause extreme emotional stress

Bottom line: Consent is not a defense.

Penalties at a Glance

Offense	Statute	Jail / Fine
Standard hazing (no serious harm)	La. R.S. 14:40.8 (A)	Up to 6 months & $1,000
Hazing causing serious injury / death	La. R.S. 14:40.8 (C)	Up to 5 yrs & $10,000
Failure to report hazing	HB 793 (2018)	Up to 1 yr & $10,000
Failure to seek medical aid	HB 446 (2020)	Up to 5 yrs & $10,000
Civil exemplary damages	SB 91 (2020)	Jury‑determined; no statutory cap

Schools that don’t file timely reports risk loss of campus privileges and additional fines.

Mandatory Reporting Cheat‑Sheet

• Students & Organizations – must call 911 and campus police immediately.

• Universities – must notify law enforcement within 24 hours of any allegation.

• Bystanders – protected by the Medical Amnesty clause only if they seek help.

  
  

2018‑2025 Campus Incident Map

Quick Take: LSU accounts for 18 of 43 statewide reports. Only 4 of 22 Louisiana colleges fully comply with public‑disclosure rules.⁶

We will update this dataset once the 2025 numbers and the final text of the Caleb Wilson Act are released.

Education & Prevention Initiatives

• Statewide orientation modules – required for every freshman.

• Annual chapter workshops – sororities, fraternities, clubs.

• Max Gruver Foundation – peer‑to‑peer programs now in 150+ high schools.

• LSU Hazing Prevention Course – mandatory for all student‑org members.

  
  

2024‑25 Legislative Watch

The Caleb Wilson Act (HB 279) is moving through committee as of April 2025. Key provisions:

1. 72‑hour deadline for universities to post hazing reports online.

2. Automatic audits for non‑compliant schools.

3. Expanded whistle‑blower protections.

   
   

Stay tuned—we’ll refresh this post the moment the bill hits the Governor’s desk.

How Johnson Carroll Law Can Help

• Criminal Defense: If you—or your child—are charged, we safeguard constitutional rights at every step.

• Civil Claims: Victims can seek damages for medical costs, emotional trauma, and under SB 91, punitive awards.

• Proactive Consulting: Student groups can book compliance workshops to avoid catastrophic mistakes.

  
  

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Footnotes

1. La. R.S. 14:40.8, as amended by Max Gruver Act (2018).

2. HB 78, Reg. Sess. La. Leg. 2018.

3. SB 91, Reg. Sess. La. Leg. 2020.

4. HB 446, Reg. Sess. La. Leg. 2020.

5. HB ### (Caleb Wilson Act), filed Feb 12 2025.

6. HazingInfo.org transparency database, accessed Apr 17 2025.