MS HB5

Expands the definition of hazing to include acts associated with pledging, intake, holding office, or maintaining membership status in organizations, covering physical brutality, sleep deprivation, forced consumption of food/alcohol/drugs, coerced money transfers, and forced social exclusion

Creates penalties for organizations that fail to report known hazing incidents, including fines up to $10,000, forfeiture of public funds, and loss of operating privileges for at least 4 years if serious bodily injury, death, or blood alcohol concentration of 30% or higher results

Establishes a new felony offense (hazing in the third degree) for hazing resulting in serious bodily injury, death, or forced alcohol consumption causing blood alcohol of 30% or higher, punishable by up to $10,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment

Requires organizations to begin investigating hazing allegations within 5 days of receiving a report and immediately notify the educational institution's administration

Eliminates consent as a defense to hazing charges and protects hazing victims from prosecution under this act, effective July 1, 2021