ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate will consider a bill that holds universities and their organizations responsible for hazing.
The parents of Max Gruver have been advocates for Senate Bill 423, after they lost their son to hazing in 2017. He was reportedly forced to drink while pledging at Louisiana State University fraternity.
“Unfortunately, some hazing rituals at colleges and universities across the country have caused injuries or even deaths,” said Sen. John Albers (R – Roswell). “Steve and Rae Ann Gruver have dedicated their lives to keeping others safe and I am honored to work with them on this important legislation."
RELATED: Moms of hazing victims cross country with powerful message: 'It's wrong, and it kills people.'
The Max Gruver Act would force the Georgia Department of Education, the Technical College System of Georgia and each private college or university in the state to keep track of hazing incidents and make them public.
It also says anyone found guilty of hazing of a "high and aggravated nature" would face misdemeanor charges, punishable with up to 12 months in jail or a fine of $5,000, or both.
If a hazing incident led to death or serious bodily injury, the penalties would be escalated to a felony. The punishment for that would be a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $25,000, or both.
A version of the act already passed in Louisiana.
Material from the Associated Press contributed to this report.