Indiana Anti-Hazing Law

IC 35-42-2-2. Criminal recklessness; element of hazing; liability barred for good faith report or judicial participation

(a) A person who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally performs an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person commits criminal recklessness. Except as provided in subsection (b), criminal recklessness is a Class B misdemeanor.

(b) The offense of criminal recklessness as defined in subsection (a) is:

(1) a Level 6 felony if:

(A) it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon; or

(B) the person committed aggressive driving (as defined in IC 9-21-8-55) that results in serious bodily injury to another person; or

(2) a Level 5 felony if:

(A) it is committed by shooting a firearm into an inhabited dwelling or other building or place where people are likely to gather; or

(B) the person committed aggressive driving (as defined in IC 9-21-8-55) that results in the death of another person. As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.2. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.31; Acts 1981, P.L.300, SEC.1; P.L.323-1987, SEC.1; P.L.216-1996, SEC.17; P.L.1-2003, SEC.94; P.L.75-2006, SEC.3; P.L.158-2013, SEC.423.

IC 35-42-2-2.5 Hazing; good faith reporting

(a) As used in this section, “hazing” means forcing or requiring another person:

(1) with or without the consent of the other person; and

(2) as a condition of association with a group or organization; to perform an act that creates a substantial risk of bodily injury.

(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally performs hazing commits a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Level 6 felony if it results in serious bodily injury to another person, and a Level 5 felony if it is committed by means of a deadly weapon.

(c) A person, other than a person who has committed an offense under this section or a delinquent act that would be an offense under this section if the violator were an adult, who:

(1) makes a report of hazing in good faith;

(2) participates in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report of hazing;

(3) employs a reporting or participating person described in subdivision (1) or (2); or

(4) supervises a reporting or participating person described in subdivision (1) or (2);

is not liable for civil damages or criminal penalties that might otherwise be imposed because of the report or participation.

(d) A person described in subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2) is presumed to act in good faith.

(e) A person described in subsection (c)(1) or (c)(2) may not be treated as acting in bad faith solely because the person did not have probable cause to believe that a person committed:

(1) an offense under this section; or

(2) a delinquent act that would be an offense under this section if the offender were an adult.