An Act to establish the crime of hazing and to provide a penalty therefor.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to chapter 22-18:

A person who commits an act of hazing is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A person who commits an act of hazing that causes serious bodily injury to another is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

It is not a defense to prosecution under this section that the victim consented to the act of hazing.

A person convicted of a violation of this section may not be convicted of any other violation set forth in this chapter for the same course of conduct.

For the purposes of this section, "hazing" means any activity by which a person recklessly endangers the health or safety of, or causes a risk of extreme psychological distress or bodily injury to, another person for purposes of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university. The term "hazing" does not include reasonable and customary interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic practices, competitions, or events, or any authorized law enforcement or military training.