Indiana Hazing Law

§ 34-30-2-150. Hazing


   IC 35-42-2-2 (Concerning persons for reporting or participating in proceedings concerning hazing).

§ 35-42-2-2. Criminal recklessness -- Exemption from liability resulting from hazing reports


   (a) As used in this section, "hazing" means forcing or requiring another person:

   (1) with or without the consent of the other person; and

   (2) as a condition of association with a group or organization;
 
to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury.

(b) A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs:

   (1) an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person; or

   (2) hazing;
 
commits criminal recklessness, a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is a:

   (1) Class A misdemeanor if the conduct includes the use of a vehicle;

   (2) Class D felony if it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon; or

   (3) Class C felony if it is committed by shooting a firearm from a vehicle into an inhabited dwelling or other building or place where people are likely to gather.

(c) A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally:

   (1) inflicts serious bodily injury on another person; or

   (2) performs hazing that results in serious bodily injury to a person;
 
commits criminal recklessness, a Class D felony. However, the offense is a Class C felony if committed by means of a deadly weapon.

(d) A person, other than a person who has committed an offense under this section or a delinquent act that would be an offense under this section if the violator was an adult, who:

   (1) makes a report of hazing in good faith;

   (2) participates in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report of hazing;

   (3) employs a reporting or participating person described in subdivision (1) or (2); or

   (4) supervises a reporting or participating person described in subdivision (1) or (2);
 
is not liable for civil damages or criminal penalties that might otherwise be imposed because of the report or participation.

(e) A person described in subsection (d)(1) or (d)(2) is presumed to act in good faith.

(f) A person described in subsection (d)(1) or (d)(2) may not be treated as acting in bad faith solely because the person did not have probable cause to believe that a person committed:

   (1) an offense under this section; or

   (2) a delinquent act that would be an offense under this section if the offender was an adult.