Nevada Hazing Law

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF  NEVADA,  REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   [*1]   Section 1. Chapter 200 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

   1. A PERSON WHO ENGAGES IN  HAZING  IS GUILTY OF:

(A) A MISDEMEANOR, IF NO SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM RESULTS.
 (B) A GROSS MISDEMEANOR, IF SUBSTANTIAL BODILY HARM RESULTS. 

  2. CONSENT OF A VICTIM OF  HAZING  IS NOT A VALID DEFENSE TO A PROSECUTION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. 

  3. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AN ACTIVITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE "FORCED" IF INITIATION INTO OR AFFILIATION WITH A STUDENT ORGANIZATION, PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY.

 4. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, " HAZING"  MEANS AN ACTIVITY IN WHICH A PERSON INTENTIONALLY OR RECKLESSLY ENDANGERS THE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF ANOTHER PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF INITIATION INTO OR AFFILIATION WITH A STUDENT ORGANIZATION, ACADEMIC ASSOCIATION OR ATHLETIC TEAM AT A HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THIS STATE. THE TERM: 

  (A) INCLUDES, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY PHYSICAL BRUTALITY OR BRUTAL TREATMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WHIPPING, BEATING, BRANDING, FORCED CALISTHENICS, EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS OR FORCED CONSUMPTION OF FOOD, LIQUOR, DRUGS OR OTHER SUBSTANCES. 

    (B) DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY ATHLETIC, CURRICULAR, EXTRACURRICULAR OR QUASI-MILITARY PRACTICE, CONDITIONING OR COMPETITION THAT IS SPONSORED OR APPROVED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. 

   [*2]   Sec. 2. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to offenses that were committed before the effective date of this act.

Approved by the Governor May 24, 1999.