RI S2495

Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League must establish a statewide anti-hazing policy for student athletics with zero tolerance for hazing incidents.

Policy must include definitions of hazing, sanctions and penalties (including team suspensions and potential season cancellations), and education/prevention components tied to school climate initiatives.

Consent by a person being hazed is explicitly not a defense under the policy.

Student-athletes must sign an acknowledgment of the policy and its penalties before participating in any team practices, meetings, games, or other functions.

All schools and school districts participating in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League are subject to the policy, which takes effect upon passage.