Hazing Law and Legal Definition
Hazing is defined as an abusive, often humiliating form of initiation into or affiliation with a group, including:
- Any willful action taken or situation created which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of another.
- Any willful act by any person alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming; or seriously offering, threatening, or attempting to strike, beat, bruise, or maim, or to do or seriously offer, threaten, or attempt to do physical violence to another made for the purpose of committing any of the acts.
The term hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization. The term hazing does not include corporal punishment administered by officials or employees of public organizations when in accordance with policies adopted by their respective organizations.
