Bill: SB 50, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

Senate Criminal Justice

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Neutral Neutral Negative Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Bill Caption

Relating to the offense of hazing. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

This bill would modify the Education Code by expanding the definition of hazing to include coercing another student to consume intoxicants. The wording would also apply if the environment makes the student reasonably feel coerced to consume drugs and/or alcohol.

This bill would also modify the existing law to allow immunity from civil liability for any person who voluntarily reports a hazing incident. An individual does not qualify if they report their own act of hazing or if they report the hazing in bad faith or malice. 

Additionally, this bill would also clarify that institutions of higher education are required to provide notification to students about the offense of hazing within 21 days of each semester.  

Vote Recommendation Notes

SB 50 violates our liberty principle of Personal Responsibility. The wording in this bill is so encompassing that if students “create an environment” where someone feels coerced, it shall be considered hazing. Creating a criminal offense based on whether someone "felt" coerced is overly subjective. If an individual feels that they are indeed being coerced, they have the personal responsibility to remove themselves from the situation, or call for help. If an individual is literally coerced into consuming alcohol or drugs they have legal recourse under the penal code. Since this law would be redundant it also violates our liberty principle of Limited Government.  


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 06:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/sb50?print_view=true