CHARLESTON — The House Judiciary Committee on Monday approved without debate — but not without some trepidation — SB 440, which will extend state anti-hazing law to the five fraternities that broke away from WVU.
Current anti-hazing law applies to “any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education.”
As previously reported, this became a problem in late summer when five WVU fraternities dissociated and in September formed their own Independent Fraternity Council.
Travis Mollohan, WVU’s director of State and Local Relations, told the committee that the bill, which originated out of Morgantown, was drafted at the request of local prosecutors who have no means to prosecute hazing at those organizations under current law.
SB 440 changes the wording to apply to “any organization whose members include students of an institution of higher education.”
Delegate Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, summarized the concerns expressed by some that the bill, however well intentioned, could be over-applied: “That’s pretty broad,” he said.
Despite the concerns, no one offered amendments and Pushkin offered the only audible “no” during the voice vote to pass it.
It now heads to the full House. If unamended on the floor, it will go to the governor.
TWITTER @dbeardtdp Email David Beard at dbeard@dominionpost.com
