Louisiana Governor Signs the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act into Law

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 636 into law on Thursday in Baton Rouge, enacting an anti-hazing measure named for Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student who was killed by hazing in February 2025.

The legislation, known as the Caleb Wilson Hazing Prevention Act, strengthens hazing regulations at Louisiana’s public colleges and universities, BillTrack50 reports. It lays out clear definitions of hazing, covering intentional, knowing, or reckless acts that endanger physical health or safety or cause severe emotional distress in connection with joining or participating in an organization such as a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, or club.

Under the new law, institutions must maintain a publicly accessible website detailing conduct findings and sanctions against organizations while protecting individual privacy. The measure also establishes online reporting systems, immunity for good-faith reporters, amnesty for students who report hazing, and mandatory annual prevention training for members, advisors, and hearing panel participants. Organizations that fail to report incidents to law enforcement and their institution face disciplinary action, and any organization tied to a hazing death can be permanently banned.

WAFB reports that the law takes effect Aug. 1, while the annual student education requirement begins in the fall of 2027, with new students briefed during orientation and parents of minors notified.

WAFB quotes Caleb’s aunt and godmother, Yolanda Curtis Wilson, describing the day as bittersweet. “It’s bitter because it’s unfortunate that we even have to be here to sign this bill, just as a reminder of what the family has already gone through,” she said. “It’s a sweet day because it is a step in the right direction.”