Virginia’s leadership in combating hazing on college campuses played a pivotal role in shaping national reforms after President Joe Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act into law in his final days in office.
The legislation aims to enhance student safety by requiring colleges and universities to report hazing incidents under the Clery Act and standardizes definitions for tracking hazing statistics across the country. The new law also mandates comprehensive hazing prevention programs for faculty and students, focusing on education and fostering a culture of respect to prevent hazing before it happens.
Virginia set the stage for such measures in 2022 with the passage of “Adam’s Law,” named in honor of 19-year-old Adam Oakes, a teenager from Loudoun County who died in 2021 during a fraternity pledge event at Virginia Commonwealth University. Carried by Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and former Del. Kathleen Murphy, D-Fairfax, the law requires hazing preventing training at Virginia colleges and universities.
Read more at Virginia Mercury.
