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Senate committee votes in favor of tougher hazing punishments

5 years 10 months 3 weeks ago Tuesday, April 24 2018 Apr 24, 2018 April 24, 2018 10:49 AM April 24, 2018 in News
Source: WBRZ
By: WBRZ Staff

BATON ROUGE- A bill that would toughen the punishments for any acts of hazing that lead to someone's death is one step closer to becoming law.

According to the Advocate, a Senate panel voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of House Bill 78, dubbed the Max Gruver Act. The act is named for the 18-year-old who died with a blood alcohol level of 0.495 after attending a fraternity initiation event.

"It is going to save lives in the future," said Rep. Nancy Landry, the Lafayette Republican who authored the bill in response to Gruver's death.

Under the new law, anyone involved in hazing activities that lead to someone's death can face up to five years behind bars and have a maximum fine of $10,000.

One fraternity member has been charged with negligent homicide in Gruver's death. Three others have been charged with misdemeanor hazing. All have pleaded not guilty. The new law would not affect their charges.

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