Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 17, § 183. Hazing; public elementary and secondary students; intent and findings; definitions; policies

A. (1) It is the intent of the legislature that every public elementary and secondary school in this state shall be a safe, orderly, civil, and positive learning environment so that no student in this state feels threatened while in school.

(2) The legislature finds that while some forms of initiation for membership in student clubs and organizations constitute acceptable behavior, the hazing of students may degenerate into a dangerous form of intimidation and degradation.

B. (1) As used in this Section, “hazing” means any knowing behavior, whether by commission or omission, of any student to encourage, direct, order, or participate in any activity which subjects another student to potential physical, mental, or psychological harm for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, continued membership in, or acceptance by existing members of any organization or extracurricular activity at a public elementary or secondary school, whether such behavior is planned or occurs on or off school property, including any school bus and school bus stop.

(2) Hazing does not mean any adult-directed and school-sanctioned athletic program practice or event or military training program.

D. (1) Each city, parish, and other local public school board shall develop, adopt, and post a policy to enforce the prohibition in this Section against hazing and to prevent its occurrence.

(2) Each such policy shall include, at a minimum, the following: