Sam’s Law (H.B. 1751) was in response to the death of Sam Martinez at Washington State University in November 2019. Sam was a freshman at his death and was a fraternity pledge. He died after a big/little reveal from acute alcohol poisoning due to traditions within the organization. His parents, Jolayne Houtz and Hector Martinez, made it their mission to strengthen hazing laws in the state of Washington to prevent another life from being taken so early. Governor Jay Inslee signed it into law on March 30, 2022.
I miss Sam’s bright smile and extraordinary kindness every day. Hazing has no place in any student’s college experience. Get the facts about hazing, and if you see or experience hazing, please report it. You could save someone’s life.
Definition
Hazing includes any act committed as part of a person’s recruitment, initiation into, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime that is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student. This includes causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance that subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate (RCW 28B.10.900).
Education
The University of Washington shall provide students with an educational program on hazing annually. The program should include information on hazing prevention, awareness, intervention, and the university’s hazing policy.
To learn more about the training, please visit the Hazing Prevention 101 – College Edition website.
To learn more about the training, please visit the Hazing Prevention: It’s Everyone’s Responsibility – Faculty & Staff Edition website.
Committee
The University of Washington will develop and operate a hazing prevention committee to promote and address hazing prevention. The committee should compromise students, faculty/staff, and at least one parent/guardian of a student enrolled in the university. Half of the committee should comprise of students. (RCW 28B.10.905)
Employee Reporting
University employees, including student employees, must report a hazing concern if they believe it has occurred or have reasonable cause to believe it will happen. According to the law, “Reasonable cause” means a person who witnesses hazing or receives a credible written or oral report alleging hazing or potential or planned hazing activity. (RCW 28B.10.907)
To report a hazing concern, please select your campus below.
Public Violations
The University of Washington will maintain and publicly report findings of hazing violations by any student organization, athletic team, or living group. The report will include any violations of the code of conduct, anti-hazing policies, or state or federal laws relating to hazing or offenses related to alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, or physical assault. (RCW 28B.10.906)
The report should include the following information:
- The name of the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
- The date the investigation was initiated;
- The date on which the investigation ended with a finding that a violation occurred;
- A description of the incident or incidents, including the date of the initial violation, and the violations, findings, and sanctions placed on the student organization, athletic team, or living group;
- The details of the sanction or sanctions imposed, including the beginning and end dates of the sanction or sanctions; and
- The date the student organization, athletic team, or living group was charged with a violation.
Any hazing violation of a student organization, athletic team, or living group should be made public for at least five years.
Click here for more information about the University of Washington’s current report.
Social Fraternities and Sororities
Sam’s Law outlines specific requirements of social fraternities and sororities at both the headquarters and local chapter levels. These requirements are listed below, and failure to follow these sections shall result in automatic loss of recognition until the organization comes into compliance with the subsections. (RCW 28B.10.908)