Introduction

The passage of the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024) signals a significant step forward in acknowledging the problem of hazing, identifying a common definition, and defining the scope of prevention efforts needed to address it. While most states currently have anti- hazing laws, variations in definitions, penalties, and enforcement leave important gaps. The federal law requires institutions receiving federal aid to define hazing consistently, publicly report hazing incidents in their annual security (Clery) reports, publish related policies and research- informed prevention programs, and issue a public transparency report on organizations found responsible for hazing. For policy makers, this marks an important moment. The law establishes a national baseline that ensures student protections are consistent across states, creates greater accountability for institutions, and provides clear data to inform future legislative and funding decisions. Yet passage alone is not enough. The priority now is to ensure these provisions translate into meaningful change for students and communities.