Lofton Hazelwood, an 18-year-old University of Kentucky student and Henderson native, died of alcohol toxicity at a fraternity house last year. Two Kentucky lawmakers from Henderson said Thursday they plan to file legislation in 2023 to make hazing a crime in the Commonwealth. The bill will be known as Lofton’s Law.
Sen. Robby Mills (R-Henderson) and Rep. Jonathan Dixon (R-Corydon) testified Thursday before the Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary alongside the parents of Hazelwood.
“We believe that intentional, wanton, and reckless participation in the act of hazing needs to be stopped in Kentucky,” Mills said. “And the only way for organizations and people who operate these organizations to understand the severity of hazing is to attach a crime to this behavior in Kentucky.”
Mills’ and Dixon’s proposed anti-hazing legislation defines hazing as an action which endangers the mental or physical health of a minor or student for the purpose of recruitment, initiation into, affiliation with, or enhancing or maintaining membership or status within any organization.
Activities that would be considered hazing under this law include causing, coercing, or forcing a minor or student to violate federal or state law; consume any food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug, tobacco product, or other controlled substance; endure physical brutality, endure sexual brutality, and other activities that endanger the person’s physical and mental health.
Under this proposed legislation, a person would be guilty of first-degree hazing, a class D felony, if they intentionally or wantonly participate in hazing that results in serious physical injury or death. A person would be guilty of second-degree hazing, a class A misdemeanor, if he or she recklessly participates in the act of hazing.
“We believe the activity of hazing is not something we should turn a blind eye to because it can lead death, injury, and destruction of Kentucky families and friends,” Mills said.
Lofton mother, Tracey Hazelwood, shared her son’s story with the committee. She said the hazing at the fraternity her son was attempting to join began weeks before his death, with members forcing her son to drink alcohol, participate in vandalism, chew tobacco until he vomited, and more.
After an investigation, it was reported Lofton died after consuming 18 pours of bourbon in a plastic cup on Oct. 18, 2021. He was left alone while extremely intoxicated, and by the time he was discovered unresponsive it was too late, Tracey Hazelwood said.
“I beg that you please consider this bill,” she said. “We need Lofton’s Law in place as soon as possible. It’s not going to bring my son back, but it might save somebody else’s son.”
Dixon said while he believes fraternities and sororities are an important part of the college experience, those who engage in hazing need more accountability.
“I hope that by starting this conversation today about the risks and the potential outcomes that have come from hazing, we can potentially add a stiffer penalty to those who engage in that behavior and result in saving many, many lives,” Dixon said.
As of Oct. 20, Mills and Dixon have not submitted an interim working draft related to anti-hazing for the 2023 legislative session. During the interim, the Kentucky General Assembly cannot take any action on legislation. The 2023 legislative session begins Jan. 3.
The next Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary meeting is currently scheduled for Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. For more information, visit legislature.ky.gov.
