7 Hazing Tragedies That Spurred Harsher Anti-Hazing Laws in 9 States

Max Gruver – Georgia

Similar to Timothy Piazza, Max Gruver’s home state of Georgia passed the Max Gruver Act in March 2021.

The law makes hazing a student in connection with, or as a condition or precondition of, gaining membership or other status in a school organization “a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature” that is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both.

Effective July 1, 2021, Georgia schools must also establish policies for reporting and investigating hazing incidents, and publicly disclosing administrative adjudications or related hazing or other criminal convictions. Information about the hazing incidents must also be posted on the school’s website for a minimum of five years after final adjudication or conviction.

Read more about the Max Gruver Act.

(Photo credit: dbvirago, Adobe Stock)