Penn State Pledge Who Died After Hazing Spurs Law

HARRISBURG, Pa. — An anti-hazing law prompted by the death of a Penn State student after a night of drinking in a fraternity house early last year was signed Friday by Pennsylvania’s governor. Gov. Tom Wolf called it “long overdue” as he put his signature on legislation to enact stricter criminal penalties and permit courts to order confiscation of frat houses where hazing has occurred. The law is named for Tim Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore engineering student who died from severe head and abdominal injuries after suffering a series of falls inside the Beta Theta Pi house in February 2017. His parents Jim and Evelyn Piazza, who have become national advocates for anti-hazing efforts, attended the bill signing ceremony in the state Capitol. “Our young people deserve better and we must protect them from this rampant criminal behavior,” Jim Piazza said. The law requires schools to maintain policies to combat hazing and classifies as felonies the hazing incidents that result in severe injury or death.