KEY TAKEAWAYS: Task force urges mandatory annual anti-hazing training for all public college students and advisers Panel recommends rolling back 2024 law raising evidence standards for campus hazing cases Amnesty policies proposed to encourage students to report hazing without fear of punishme nt Lawmakers plan to address recommendations in the legislative session starting March 9   A legislative task force on hazing on Louisiana’s college campuses is recommending increased required training for all students — not just those in Greek organizations — and greater penalties for universities that shirk their obligations. The task force, named in honor of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, who died in a hazing incident last year, is composed of legislators, public higher education officials and college students. Five people have been indicted in connection with Wilson’s February death during a pledge initiation for the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. The chapter has been removed from Southern’s campus though it has the option to appeal and return. Members of the task force, created last year by Southern alumnus Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, met for the final time Thursday. They voted to recommend legislation that would require annual anti-hazing training for public college and university students and advisers to student organizations, who are typically school faculty or staff members. The legislative panel also emphasized the need to require the training for “external advisers” who are not university employees such as those who work with Greek organizations. The task force considered a proposal to require training for all faculty and staff, but LSU Vice President and General Counsel Trey Jones, a task force member, raised concerns that a mandate for thousands of employees was overbroad. The task force settled on expanding the requirement to more faculty and staff members, though the legislature will have to determine which employees will be required to take part in the training. The group also recommended adopting amnesty policies that would allow students to report hazing without fear of repercussions for violating other university policies. The panel also agreed it was key to roll back a 2024 law, Act 416 by Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, that dramatically increased the standard of evidence required to prove a hazing charge in campus disciplinary proceedings from “preponderance of evidence” to “clear and convincing.” Under the old standard, administrators could hold a student responsible if the evidence points to it being at least slightly more likely than not the student is responsible. Even if there is conflicting testimony, a student whistleblower could be punished if the evidence tipped the scale just past a 50% likelihood. Now universities need clear and convincing evidence, a standard used in some court cases such as proving fraud or terminating parental rights. The threshold requires evidence that points to the student’s guilt being substantially more probable than not, and it might require multiple witnesses, photos or other reports to firmly convince administrators. Clearing that bar can be difficult because, unlike in courtroom proceedings, administrators don’t have as much power to gather evidence. University officials on the panel said the new standard of evidence makes it nearly impossible to hold students accountable for hazing and could eventually lead to schools not attempting to discipline students for offenses because it could open them up to legal liability. The task force also recommended universities include a section on hazing in the annual power-based violence reports they make to the legislature, and that the information is also posted to universities’ websites. Under current law, schools that fail to submit the reports are prohibited from going before the state Bond Commission for two years, effectively limiting them from any of major infrastructure or building projects during that period. The same penalty was  recommended for failure to submit a hazing report. The group also highlighted the need to identify dedicated dollars to support hazing prevention, training and reporting. Their priorities are likely to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session, which begins March 9. Rep. Vanessa LaFleur, D-Baton Rouge, said lawmakers will meet soon to decide who will sponsor the bills. Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, said he would also sponsor legislation to clarify the difference between suspending and expelling a student organization. ...read more read less