Bill would bar students who haze from attending Georgia schools

By Aaron Gould Sheinin

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Any student convicted of hazing would be barred from attending school in Georgia, under legislation proposed in the state House.

Rep. Joe Wilkinson, R-Sandy Springs, actually introduced House Bill 659 in April, months before the November death of a Florida A&M University band member from DeKalb County. Robert Champion, 26, died following an apparent hazing incident.

Wilkinson said he was approached by several college and university presidents to address hazing, which they said has moved from fraternities to sports teams and other organizations.

"If nothing else, this will bring more attention to the problem," Wilkinson said. "It will educate administration, parents, students of the laws currently on the books and encourage reporting of hazing."

State law currently makes hazing a misdemeanor. Wilkinson's bill says anyone convicted of hazing "shall not be eligible to enroll in or attend a school." According to state law, "school" means any school at any level.

Champion was a drum major at FAMU. He died Nov. 19 after being beaten on a bus during a band trip to Orlando. His death has been determined a homicide. An attorney for Champion's family has said the victim might have been targeted for severe hazing because he opposed the culture of hazing.

Staff writer Fran Jeffries contributed to this article.