Bill 2121

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2121
Ratification Number:       109
Act Number                 73
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Initiation into any fraternity or
                           sorority in connection with a school

(A73, R109, H2121)

AN ACT TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO INTENTIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY ENGAGE IN ACTS WHICH MAY CAUSE PHYSICAL HARM FOR THE PURPOSE OF INITIATION INTO ANY FRATERNITY OR SORORITY IN CONNECTION WITH A SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR UNIVERSITY; TO EXEMPT ATHLETIC EVENTS, MILITARY TRAINING, AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS WITH A MINIMUM AGE LIMIT OF TWENTY-ONE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT IMPLIED OR EXPRESS CONSENT TO AN INITIATION ACTIVITY IS NOT A DEFENSE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Hazing unlawful, exceptions

SECTION 1. It is unlawful for any person to intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which have a foreseeable potential for causing physical harm to any person for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any chartered student, fraternal, or sororal chartered organization. Fraternity, sorority, or other organization for purposes of this section means those chartered fraternities, sororities, or other organizations operating in connection with a school, college, or university, but shall not include fraternal organizations with a minimum age limit of twenty-one that do not operate in connection with a school, college, or university. This section does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, or military training whether state, federal, or educational.

Hazing unlawful, exceptions

SECTION 2. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly permit or assist any person in committing acts made unlawful by Section 1 or to fail to report promptly any information within his knowledge of acts made unlawful by Section 1 to the chief executive officer of the appropriate school, college, or university.

Penalty

SECTION 3. Any person who violates the provisions of Section 1 or 2 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed twelve months, or both.

Consent to hazing

SECTION 4. The implied or express consent of a person to acts which violate Section 1 does not constitute a defense to violations of Section 1 or 2.

Time effective

SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.