The parents of Maxwell Gruver, who died last year in an alleged hazing incident at LSU, are backing a bill that would stiffen criminal penalties for those who are found guilty of hazing. The “Max Gruver Act” passed through committee without objection and is set to be heard today on the House floor. Gruver’s father Steve says this is the bill will save lives.
The bill would make hazing a felony, carrying with it a 1,000 dollar fine and up to six months in jail in cases involving a hazing death. Gruver says the only way to stop hazing is to send a strong message, backed up with tough penalties.
The bill is sponsored by Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry, who says the penalties are some of the stiffest in the nation.
Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith’s legislation that would prevent schools from taking lunches away from students with unpaid school debts is moving to the floor. Smith says her legislation would prevent schools from publicly rejecting lunches for students, and stop them from “shaming” kids whose parents are either negligent or unable for afford the meals.
But there were some concerns about the bill being an unfunded mandate for school districts that would require them to feed hungry children without a guarantee of repayment. Louisiana School Board Association Executive Director Scott Richard opposed the bill, saying school lunches don’t grow on trees.
The bill was passed 7-4 and has a floor hearing set for Wednesday.