HOUSTON – Below is a look at the definition of hazing in the state of Texas.
Texas Penal Code says the punishment for a hazing charge that results in the death of another person is a $5,000 to $10,000 fine and 1-2 years in prison.
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Any intentional, knowing or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in an organization whose members are or include students at an educational institution. The term includes but is not limited to:
Any type of physical brutality such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
Any type of physical activity such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
Any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk or harm or which adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame, humiliation, or that adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in this subsection; and
Any activity that induces, causes or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a violation of the Penal Code or Code of Student Conduct.
A person commits a hazing offense if the person:
Engages in hazing
Solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing
Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly permits hazing to occur
Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution, or has firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report said knowledge in writing
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