HOUSE BILL 200

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton and Monica Youngblood

AN ACT

RELATING TO HAZING; ENACTING THE ANTI-HAZING ACT; PROVIDING PENALTIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Anti-Hazing Act".

     SECTION 2. [NEW MATERIAL] HAZING.--A person commits hazing who knowingly requires the performance of any act by a student or other person in a school, college, university or other educational institution of this state for the purpose of induction or admission into, or continued good standing in, any group, athletic team, organization or society associated or connected with that institution if:

          A. the act is not sanctioned or authorized by that educational institution;

          B. the act results in bodily harm to any person; and

          C. the act recklessly or intentionally endangers the health of a student or other person, including requiring the consumption of food, yelling, humiliating, harassing, belittling, cursing, sleep deprivation, forced calisthenics, drug or alcohol use, striking, beating, paddling, slapping, blindfolding, pushing or maiming; threatening to require sleep deprivation, forced calisthenics or drug or alcohol use; threatening to strike, beat, paddle, slap, blindfold, push or maim; or requiring any morally degrading, illegal or indecent action.

     SECTION 3. [NEW MATERIAL] PENALTY.--

          A. Whoever commits hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.

          B. Whoever knowingly participates, aids or assists in the act of hazing is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978. Whoever commits hazing resulting in death is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

      SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2017.

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