§ 2802 — Hazing

(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the offense of hazing if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly, for the purpose of initiating, admitting or affiliating a minor or student into or with an organization, or for the purpose of continuing or enhancing a minor or student's membership or status in an organization, causes, coerces or forces a minor or student to do any of the following:

(1) Violate Federal or State criminal law.

(2) Consume any food, liquid, alcoholic liquid, drug or other substance which subjects the minor or student to a risk of emotional or physical harm.

(3) Endure brutality of a physical nature, including whipping, beating, branding, calisthenics or exposure to the elements.

(4) Endure brutality of a mental nature, including activity adversely affecting the mental health or dignity of the individual, sleep deprivation, exclusion from social contact or conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment.

(5) Endure brutality of a sexual nature.

(6) Endure any other activity that creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or student.

(b) Grading.--

(1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), hazing is a summary offense.

(2) Hazing shall be a misdemeanor of the third degree if it results in or creates a reasonable likelihood of bodily injury to the minor or student.

(c) Limitation.--Hazing shall not include reasonable and customary athletic, law enforcement or military training, contests, competitions or events.

Legislative History

Cross References.Section 2802 is referred to in sections 2803, 2804, 2805 of this title.