The anti-hazing law named after the Penn State fraternity pledge enters into force in Pennsylvania

An anti-hazing law named in honor of a Penn State fraternity pledge, deceased as a result of a hazing ritual, was promulgated Friday in Pennsylvania.

The law, which will impose tougher criminal penalties for hazing, comes after the death of Tim Piazza, a 19-year-old student from New Jersey, who died after his first night of support for Penn State's Beta Theta Pi fraternity in 2017.

The parents of Piazza, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, who became anti-wonder advocates after the death of their son, joined Pennsylvania's governor, Tom Wolf, at the signing.

Patrick Carns via AP, FILE

"A statement was made" by the Senate's unanimous vote on the bill, said Jim Piazza at the signing in Harrisburg.

"With proper prosecution and harsh sentences, these laws will be effective," he said.

"We urge lawmakers across the country to review their current hazing status … and consider implementing the same or similar legislation" that Pennsylvanian has just adopted, Jim said. Piazza. "Our young people deserve better and we must protect them."

Pennsylvania Governor's Office

The Piazza "are grateful for the unanimous vote of Timothy J's Anti-Hazing Law, which they say will serve as a national model of anti-hazing legislation," Family Lawyer Tom Kline told AFP on Friday. 39, family lawyer.

Courtesy Piazza Family

Kline said Friday's signing was "an important step forward to deter and eradicate the scourge of hazing on university campuses across the country."

The law will require schools to help prevent hazing, provide law enforcement tools to combat hazing, and hold perpetrators accountable, Wolf said, calling the decision "one of the most strict anti-hazing laws of the country ".

Pennsylvania Governor's Office

According to the Associated Press, Friday's law provides for, among other things, amendments: severe forms of hazing will be considered crimes; houses of fraternity can be confiscated if hazing is practiced there; schools must have policies to combat hazing; and in some circumstances, people would be protected from prosecution if they sought help from someone who was being intimidated.

"With this bill, force a student or a minor to consume food, alcohol or drugs or subject him to too much physical or mental damage on college campuses," Wolf said. "If a student suffers an injury or a death, the abuser may be charged with aggravated hazing, a new offense of felony that may result in a term of imprisonment."

Pennsylvania Governor's Office

Starting next year, each school will have to publish online reports about hazing on campus to improve transparency for students and parents, Wolf said.

"This bill will help us prevent such horrible situations from happening to more families in Pennsylvania," Wolf said. "There is no room for hazing on our college campuses, and together we will protect students and hold those who practice them to account."

The legislation stems from the death of Tim Piazza after he had taken part in an alcohol-fueled hazing ritual known as "Gauntlet" in his fraternity home on February 2, 2017.

Courtesy Piazza Family

That night, on her first day of pledging, a heavily drunk Piazza was heard falling down the stairs and later she lay flat on her belly downstairs.

What happened next is horribly portrayed in a grand jury report, citing evidence, including a video surveillance, testimonies and telephone records.

The members of the fraternity carried the Piazza on the steps and put it on the couch. They poured water on his face and slapped him in an apparent attempt to wake him up, but to no avail, the report says. When a policeman tried to intervene, insisting on asking for help in Piazza, he was pushed against a wall and told the brothers that everything was in order, the report said.

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As the night passed, Piazza continually tried to stay alone, falling every time and eventually stopping, the report said. On the 3rd of February in the morning, he was breathing heavily, his face bleeding. When a member of the fraternity finally called 911 for help, the 19-year-old's skin had turned gray, the report said.

Tim Piazza died a day later as a result of head trauma.

Beta Theta Pi was then excluded from Penn State and the university announced a series of new reforms for Greek Life.

Many former fraternity brothers were indicted after the death of Piazza. A former member pleaded guilty and will serve one year of probation. The most serious charges were dismissed, but several other members must be tried.