Maine Anti-Hazing Law
Elementary and Secondary Education
§6553. Prohibition of hazing
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Injurious hazing” means any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled in school or any activity expected of a student as a condition of joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers the student, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate in the activity.
B. “Violator” means any person or any organization which engages in injurious hazing.
2. Adoption of policy. The school board shall adopt a policy which establishes that “injurious hazing,” either on or off school property, by any student, staff member, group or organization affiliated with the public school is prohibited.
3. Penalties. The school board shall establish penalties for violation of the rules established in subsection 2. The penalties shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for:
A. In the case of a person not associated with the public school, the ejection of the violator from school property;
B. In the case of a student, administrator or staff violator, the individual’s suspension, expulsion or other appropriate disciplinary action; and
C. In the case of an organization affiliated with the public school which authorizes hazing, rescission of permission for that organization to operate on school property or receive any other benefit of affiliation with the public
These penalties shall be in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty to which the violator or organization may be subject.
4. Administrative responsibility. The school board shall assign responsibility for administering the policy to the superintendent of schools and establish procedures for appealing the action or lack of action of the superintendent.
5. Dissemination. The school board shall clearly set forth the policy and penalties adopted and shall distribute copies of them to all students enrolled in the public school.
Post-Secondary Education
§10004. Prohibition of hazing
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Injurious hazing” means any action or situation, including harassing behavior, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of any school personnel or a student enrolled at an institution in this State or any activity expected of a student as a condition of joining or maintaining membership in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers the student, regardless of the student’s willingness to participate in the activity.
B. “Institution” means any post-secondary institution incorporated or chartered under the laws of this State.
C. “Trustees” means trustees or the governing board of every post-secondary institution incorporated or chartered under the laws of this State.
D. “Violator” means any person or any organization which engages in hazing.
2. Adoption of rules. The trustees shall adopt rules:
A. For the maintenance of public order; and
B. Prohibiting injurious hazing by any student, faculty member, group or organization affiliated with the institution, either on or off campus.
3. Penalties. The trustees shall establish penalties for violation of the rules established in subsection 2. The penalties shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for:
A. In the case of a person not associated with the institution, the ejection of the violator from the campus or institution property;
B. In the case of a student, administrator or faculty violator, the individual’s suspension, expulsion or other appropriate disciplinary action; and
C. In the case of an organization affiliated with the institution which authorizes hazing, recision of permission for that organization to operate on campus property or receive any other benefit of affiliation with the institution.
These penalties shall be in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty to which the violator or organization may be subject.
4. Administrative responsibility. The trustees shall assign responsibility for administering the rules to an administrative officer of the institution and establish procedures for appealing the action or lack of action of the officer.
5. Dissemination. The trustees shall clearly set forth the rules and penalties and shall give a copy of them to all students enrolled in the institution.
6. Bylaws of organizations. The rules shall be part of the bylaws of all organizations affiliated with the institution.