Harrison’s Law would elevate hazing charges for students to a Class A-1 misdemeanor. It would also create a new felony offense for hazing by school officials.
HICKORY, N.C. — Punishments for hazing on college campuses could soon get stricter in North Carolina under a proposed bill moving through the General Assembly, honoring the life of a Lenoir-Rhyne University student who died due to hazing.
Harrison’s Law would strengthen penalties for hazing incidents and create new offenses for school officials who engage in such behavior.
In 2008, Harrison Kowiak was a sophomore at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory when he decided to pledge a fraternity. Only weeks later, he lost his life to hazing when he was repeatedly tackled onto a frozen field, causing a fatal brain injury at 19 years old.
“He had such a bright potential future ahead of him,” Lianne Kowiak, Harrison’s mother, said. “He never played tackle sports, and so he just got tackled one too many times he hit his head on the hard field. Remember, it was November, so the field was hard.”
That tragedy gave Lianne Kowiak a new purpose: preventing similar incidents from happening to other families. She has spent the years since working with organizations like the Hazing Prevention Network and speaking about her family’s experience to students.
“Nothing can bring Harrison back, but if there was anything that we could do to ensure that another student is not hazed or doesn’t lose his or her life to senseless hazing, so that another family, a grandparent, another dad, another mom does not have to suffer like we did, then it is time well spent,” she said.
If passed, Harrison’s Law would elevate hazing charges for students from a Class 2 misdemeanor to a Class A-1 misdemeanor. The legislation would also create a new felony offense for hazing by school officials, including teachers, administrators, or coaches.
“It became apparent that there was a gap where, if school personnel engage in hazing behavior, there was not an avenue for that to be addressed,” Sen. Amy Galey, a Republican from Alamance County who sponsored the bill, said.
The bill has already passed the Senate and is now moving through the House with bipartisan support. It moved through committee unanimously last week. There is also a companion bill in the House.
Kowiak also emphasized that the main thing she wants people to remember is to always call 911 in emergencies.
If the bill is passed, it will take effect this December.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
