Student's Death At PSU Frat House Inspires New Anti-Hazing Law

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is preparing to sign a new anti-hazing law that was drafted following the death of a Penn State sophomore in 2017.

The Timothy J. Piazza Law, which has passed the House and Senate, is named for a Penn State sophomore from Hunterdon County, N.J. who died after drinking heavily at a Beta Theta Pi pledge acceptance party then falling at the house in February 2017. Investigators say he consumed at least 18 drinks in an hour and 22 minutes before falling down a flight of stairs. No one at the house called for help until 12 hours later, despite evidence Piazza was in grave condition, authorities have said.

RELATED: Penn State Frat House Death: Fast Drinking, Slow Death, Frantic Coverup In Grand Jury Timeline

The new law, which the Governor has pledged to sign soon, will increase penalties for all those involved in hazing, and requires schools to have policies and reporting procedures in place to stop hazing incidents. It also establishes clear-cut parameters on hazing for organizations such as fraternities and sororities.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing reports no convictions under the third-degree misdemeanor anti-hazing statute during the last decade that have resulted in anything more than probation, according to the bill's sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34).

The new bill will hopefully act as a deterrent to hazing due to the harsher penalties, Corman said. The National Study of Student Hazing reports that 55 percent of college students involved in clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing, information from the state says.

It provides law enforcement with the tools they need to fully prosecute those who engage in hazing-related activities, Corman said in a statement. "At the same time, it provides safe harbor provisions so those who are nearby can help by calling for assistance for someone who may be in distress.”

Piazza's death resulted in charges against more than a dozen of the brothers.

Ryan Burke, the "rush chair" of the now-defunct Beta Theta Pi fraternity, in June pleaded guilty to hazing charges and alcohol violations. He was the first of those charged to enter a guilty plea.

Burke was subsequently sentenced to three months of house arrest. His house arrest will be followed by 27 months probation and 100 hours of community service.

Bo Han Song and Patrick Jackson, who also have also since entered guilty pleas in the case, are awaiting sentencing, the Penn State Daily Collegian reported this week.

Following the tragedy, Piazza's family launched The Timothy J. Piazza Memorial Foundation, which raises money for children in need of prosthetic devices. Piazza's career ambition was develop state-of-the-art prosthetic devices, his family explains on a GoFundMe page for the foundation.

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