Kunze on Enactment of Law to End Dangerous Hazing on Ohio's College Campuses

COLUMBUS—Hazing is now a felony in the state of Ohio, thanks to new law sponsored by State Senator Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) that will be enacted tomorrow. Senate Bill 126, commonly referred to as "Collin's Law," targets dangerous hazing incidents at colleges and universities across the state. The new law is in honor of Collin Wiant, of Franklin County, who lost his life to hazing in 2018 at Ohio University, and Stone Foltz, of Delaware County, who lost his life in March as a result of hazing at Bowling Green State University. Senator Kunze issued the following statement: "For years I have worked alongside the Wiant family, fighting together to put an end to dangerous campus culture in Ohio. This new law won't bring back Collin, it can't bring back Stone, and it doesn't take away the pain and heartbreak known by these families and others who have experienced this kind of loss from the horrific consequences of hazing. I am hopeful that through awareness efforts, increased penalties and higher standards upheld by our universities and colleges, we will see change and it will help save lives." As a result of requirements authored by Kunze, the Ohio Department of Higher Education has launched its statewide anti-hazing plan, which can be found here.