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Sam’s Law: Washington’s Anti-Hazing Law (RCW 28B.10.900-907)
Washington’s “Sam’s Law” was enacted following from the tragic death of Washington State University freshman Sam Martinez, who passed away during a fraternity pledge event in November 2019. Following his death, Sam’s family pushed lawmakers to strengthen Washington State’s hazing laws in order to protect young students like Sam from preventable hazing-related injury or death. The family's advocacy resulted in the passage of Sam's Law which establishes a broad state-wide definition of hazing and imposes mandatory reporting and policy requirements for private and public colleges and universities within the State.
Sam's Law Definitions
The University has incorporated the standards and definitions set by Sam’s Law into its Hazing Policy to assess alleged violations of Gonzaga’s Student Code of Conduct and/or the PPM.
Definition of Hazing
Hazing includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime that is likely to cause bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student. This includes causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.
Stop Campus Hazing Act: Federal Anti-Hazing Law
On December 23, 2024, the Stop Campus Hazing Act was signed into law, making it the first federal law to create anti-hazing requirements for institutes of higher education. The goal of the SCHA is to create a safe and informed campus environment through consistent reporting and proactive prevention efforts.
The SCHA increases transparency, prevention, and accountability. Under the SCHA, Gonzaga must maintain hazing policies, collect and report statistics on hazing incidents, and disclose this information in their Annual Clery Security Report.
Additionally, the SCHA requires institutes of higher education to publish a Campus Hazing Transparency Report that identifies student organizations found responsible for hazing, outlines the nature of violations, the sanctions imposed, and key dates related to the matter. Colleges and universities are also required to implement hazing prevention education for students, employees, and student organizations, while maintaining compliance with local, state, and tribal laws.
Gonzaga University utilizes the following definitions to comply with Annual Security reporting requirements outlined in the Clery Act.
Definition of Hazing
Includes any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person or a group regardless of the victim’s willingness to participate, that:
- is committed during initiation, affiliation with, or membership maintenance in a student organization, and
- creates risk (above reasonable risk of usual activities) of physical or psychological injury, including:
- Physical abuse
- Forced sleep deprivation, exposure to elements, confinement, or extreme physical activity
- Forced consumption of food, alcohol, drugs, or other substances
- Sexual exploitation or coercion
- Threats and/or intimidation that cause fear of physical harm
- Any act that violates local, state, tribal, or federal law
Definition of Student Organization
Refers to any group at the university – including social clubs, athletic teams, fraternities, sororities, bands, or student government – comprised of two or more enrolled students, whether the university formally recognizes the group or not.