Hazing Prevention

Collin's Law: The Ohio Anti-Hazing Act

Ohio is one of 44 states with laws against hazing. Collin's Law: The Ohio Anti-Hazing Act, effective October 7, 2021, makes acts of hazing a second-degree misdemeanor and acts of hazing that include coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs or abuse that result in serious physical harm a felony of the third degree. Collin's Law also requires reporting to law enforcement and prevention education offered from the university to students, employees and advisors.  

The Ohio Revised Code, Section 2903.31 defines hazing as "doing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to do any act of initiation into any student or other organization or any act to continue or reinstate membership in or affiliation with any student or other organization that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse, as defined in section 3719.011 of the Revised Code."

Hazing can subject individuals to criminal and civil penalties. For more information about Ohio's statutes and those from other states, see the interactive map provided by hazingprevention.org.

So what did Collin's Law: Ohio's Anti-hazing Act Do?

Collin’s Law made several changes to Ohio law. Collin’s law:

  • Expands the definition of hazing and specifies that hazing may include “coercing another to consume alcohol or a drug of abuse."
  • Increases the penalty for hazing to a 2nd-degree misdemeanor.
  • Expands the list of officials required to report hazing.
  • Widens the scope of those who can be punished for participating in or permitting hazing. (A violation that results in serious harm is a 3rd-degree felony.)
  • Requires that those aware of hazing report it to authorities, with penalties up to a 1st-degree misdemeanor for failing to do so.
  • Requires the Ohio Department of Higher Education to implement a statewide anti-hazing plan.
  • Requires staff and volunteers at colleges and universities to complete education on hazing awareness and prevention.