Today, state Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) released the following statement after the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 126, known as Collin’s Law. The  legislation is named after Collin Wiant, an Ohio University student who died as a result of a hazing incident  during a fraternity initiation.

“Passing Collin's Law will help protect our children from harm and start us on the path toward changing the culture on college campuses,” Fedor said. “No family should have to go through the grief his family and other loved ones are experiencing. I urge my colleagues in the House to swiftly pass Collin’s law.” 

The legislation increases the penalty for hazing to a second degree misdemeanor and creates new penalties if the violation includes coerced consumption of alcohol or drugs causing serious physical harm, which would be a third-degree felony. It also enhances the definition of hazing by including coercing a victim to consume alcohol or drugs, and includes a requirement for the Chancellor of Higher Education to create a model anti-hazing policy for institutions.