Vermont Statutes Title 16 Sec. 570j
Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 16 Sec. 570j
- Educational institution: means a Vermont public or independent school or a postsecondary school that offers or operates a program of college or professional education for credit or a degree in Vermont. See
- Hazing: means any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization that is affiliated with an educational institution; and that is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning the student or endangering the mental or physical health of a student. See
- Organization: means a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, association, corporation, order, society, corps, cooperative, club, or other similar group, whose members primarily are students at an educational institution, and that is affiliated with the educational institution. See
- Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See
- Pledging: means any action or activity related to becoming a member of an organization. See
- Student: means any person who:
§ 570j. Unlawful conduct
(a) For purposes of this subchapter, “hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a student, whether individually or in concert with others, against another student:
(1) in connection with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization that is affiliated with the educational institution; and
(2) that is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, endangering the mental or physical health of the student.
(b) Hazing shall not include any activity or conduct that furthers legitimate curricular, extracurricular, or military training program goals, provided that:
(1) the goals are approved by the educational institution; and
(2) the activity or conduct furthers the goals in a manner that is appropriate, contemplated by the educational institution, and normal and customary for similar programs at other educational institutions.
(c) It shall be unlawful to:
(1) engage in hazing;
(2) solicit, direct, aid, or attempt to aid, or abet another person engaged in hazing; or
(3) knowingly fail to take reasonable measures within the scope of the person’s authority to prevent hazing.
(d) It is not a defense in an action under this subchapter that the person against whom the hazing was directed consented to or acquiesced in the hazing activity. (Added 1999, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; amended 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 79, eff. Feb. 14, 2014.)