Northwest PA News

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 5646, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, which contains several anti-hazing measures supported by U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). This bill was influenced by Evelyn and Jim Piazza, whose son Tim Piazza died in February 2017 due to a hazing incident at Penn State.

September 25 would have marked Tim's 27th birthday.

The Piazzas' advocacy led to the creation of the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform at Penn State. The center's research contributed to the development of the Stop Campus Hazing Act and helped implement strong anti-hazing laws in Pennsylvania.

"Today's overwhelming passage of H.R. 5646 reaffirms Congress' commitment to protect students on college campuses across the country," Rep. Thompson said. "This vital legislation will increase transparency and accountability in an effort to ensure that no one will have to experience what the Piazza family has over these past seven years. My prayers go out to Evelyn and Jim Piazza, and I sincerely appreciate their ongoing advocacy and strength."

Evelyn and Jim Piazza commented, "Our son Tim would have turned 27 tomorrow, September 25, 2024. Sadly, we do not get to celebrate his birthday with him, but we feel he may have given us a wink from above with today’s vote. We are thrilled to see the House passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act on this day and appreciate Rep. Thompson’s continued and unwavering support of federal anti-hazing legislation."

They added, "Over the last several years, our family, along with other families from the Anti-Hazing Coalition, has been determined to bring this bill forward, and we are now one step closer. Tim’s death due to fraternity hazing at Penn State is something no family should have to experience. Through this important legislation, students and their families will have the much-needed transparency by universities to make informed decisions about which student organizations to join.”

The bipartisan bill is backed by groups including the National Panhellenic Conference, North American Interfraternity Conference, Clery Center, and Anti-Hazing Coalition.

Next steps involve action in the Senate for final approval.

Rep. Thompson has long advocated for campus safety during his tenure in Congress:

- In 2017 he led efforts at the Education and Workforce Committee for clear policies against hazing.

- In 2019 he introduced the End All Hazing Act for increased transparency on campuses.

- Earlier this month he advanced H.R. 5646 through the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

- Today's passage includes provisions from his previous End All Hazing Act.

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