HB 54: Hazing Prohibition
2007 General Session

Sponsor: Rep. Jane Warren (D-H13, Laramie); co-sponsors Reps. Kathy Davison (R-H20, Kemmerer), Keith Gingery (R-H23, Jackson), Tom Lubnau (R-H31, Gillette), Kevin White (R-H45, Laramie), Dan Zwonitzer (R-H43, Cheyenne) and Sens. Bruce Burns (R-S21, Sheridan), Mike Massie (D-S9, Laramie)

HB 54 would specifically prohibit anyone from hazing another person as any part of a membership ritual for any organization in any educational institution in Wyoming. Hazing was defined as subjecting a person to bodily danger or injury, or likely danger or injury.

Anyone who intentionally hazes someone else would be guilty of a misdemeanor if the hazed person was injured, and would be punished by up to six months in jail or fined up to $750, or both.

If a hazed person was seriously injured or killed, the person who hazed them would be guilty of a felony, and would be punished by up to ten years in prison or fined up to $10,000, or both.

Proponents of HB 54 noted that Wyoming is one of only six states that do not statutorily prohibit hazing, and felt the bill would set a standard and expectation that it is not acceptable to engage in hazing activities.

The House passed HB 54, 57-1 (2 excused). Representative Bob Brechtel (R-H38, Casper) cast the single NO vote. The Senate Education Committee unanimously passed the bill, but the Senate Committee of the Whole defeated it on first reading, 13-15 (2 excused).

The votes listed below are the House third reading (final passage) vote and the Senate Committee of the Whole (first reading) vote. A YES vote means the legislator wanted to prohibit hazing and to provide for penalties for convictions. A NO vote means the legislator did not want to prohibit hazing or provide penalties.

INTRODUCED