COLUMBUS – Two Republican state senators are reintroducing a proposal to make alcohol- and drug-related hazing a felony in Ohio if it causes serious harm to someone.
Senators Stephanie Kunze of Hilliard and Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green say their measure also would help ensure Ohio college students learn about the dangers of hazing by requiring the Ohio Chancellor of Higher Education to develop a statewide educational plan for preventing hazing.
Gavarone represents the district which includes Bowling Green State University, where a 20-year-old Delaware County student died this week during an alleged hazing incident.
“It’s so important that we do everything that we can to ensure that Ohio’s schools and universities are the gold standard when it comes to student safety so that no other family ever has to endure a senseless tragedy,” Gavarone said in remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday.
Their hope about changing campus culture was echoed by Kathleen Wiant, the mother of an Ohio University student from Dublin who died after hazing in 2018.
Collin Wiant’s death led to criminal charges against fraternity members there and he is the namesake of Collin’s Law, introduced in the last General Assembly.
It increases penalties for aggravated hazing to a second-degree felony if it causes serious physical harm, substantial risk of physical harm, or death.
It follows the death of Stone Foltz, a Buckeye Valley High School graduate.
“As I am myself a graduate of Buckeye Valley Local Schools, my heart goes out to Stone’s family and the Delaware community. The tragic death of Stone Foltz only further emphasizes the need for increased penalties and preventative measures against hazing,” said Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), whose district includes the Buckeye Valley school district.