HOUSE BILL 27

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO HAZING; CREATING THE CRIME OF HAZING; PROVIDING A PENALTY.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Criminal Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] HAZING--PENALTY.--

          A. Hazing consists of a person who is a student of a public or private post-secondary educational institution willfully taking an action or creating a situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of another current or prospective student of the educational institution when the person takes that action or creates that situation for the purpose of the current or prospective student's induction, initiation or admission into or maintenance of membership in a student organization, student body or private athletic club, regardless of whether the organization, body or club is officially recognized, sanctioned or authorized by an educational institution. Hazing does not include coaching, training, conditioning, physical education, customary athletic events or school-sanctioned events.

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

      SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2021.

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