79 | STEVENS STUDENT HANDBOOK APPENDIX B: NEW JERSEY ANTI- HAZING LAW Timothy J. Piazza’s Law § 2C:40-3: Hazing; aggravated hazing a. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly person’s offense, if, in connection with initiation of applicants to or members of a student or fraternal organization, he knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury. b. A person is guilty of aggravated hazing, a crime of the fourth degree, if he commits an act prohibited in subsection a. which results in serious bodily injury to another person. § 18A:3-25: Pledge’s Bill of Rights The Attorney General shall develop a “Pledge’s Bill of Rights” which outlines acceptable and unacceptable behavior and activities in regard to the pledge or rushing activities of college and university fraternities and sororities and other similar campus organizations. In developing the Bill of Rights, the Attorney General shall review the existing pledge and anti-hazing policies and procedures of public and independent institutions of higher education within the State and shall, as appropriate, incorporate those policies into the bill of rights. The Attorney General shall make the “Pledge’s Bill of Rights” available to each institution of higher education within the State. § 18A:3-26: Information on Hazing Included The bill of rights developed by the Attorney General pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.388 (C.18A:3-25) shall include information on the criminal penalties for hazing and aggravated hazing established pursuant to P.L.1980, c.169 (C.2C:40-3 et seq.). Pledge’s Bill of Rights Statutory Authority This Pledge’s Bill of Rights has been developed by the Attorney General pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A: 3-24 et seq. Pledge For the purpose of this Pledge’s Bill of Rights, a pledge is defined as any student at the college/ university attempting to become a member of a fraternity or sorority or other similar campus organization. Definition of Hazing For the purpose of this Pledge’s Bill of Rights, “hazing” shall mean: As indicated, pursuant to the New Jersey Statute: • 2C: 40-3: a. A person is guilty of hazing, a disorderly person’s offense, if, in connection with initiation of applicants or members of student or fraternal organizations, he knowingly or recklessly organizes, promotes, facilitates, or engages in any conduct, other than competitive athletic events, which places or may place another person in danger of bodily injury. b. A person is guilty of aggravated hazing — a crime of the fourth degree — if he commits an act prohibited in subsection a., which results in serious bodily injury to another person. • 2C: 40-4: Notwithstanding any other provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to a prosecution under this act. • 2C: 40-5: Conduct constituting an offense under this Act may, at the discretion of the prosecution attorney, be prosecuted under any other applicable provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes: and
