HARRISBURG – Bipartisan legislation will be forthcoming from from Luzerne County Republican Sen. Lisa Baker and Philadelphia County Democrat Sen. Art Haywood which would add hazing to PA’s mandatory reporting guidelines. The measure follows a Montgomery County Grand Jury’s July 2026 report detailing the alleged hazing and abuse of a Cheltenham High School student. Currently, hazing is not defined as child abuse under PA law. The gap leaves PA students vulnerable in schools, athletic programs, and youth organizations, where adults may be unsure whether or how to report suspected incidents. In the Cheltenham case, the absence of a clear reporting requirement contributed to the mishandling of a serious disclosure of harm, leaving a student unprotected, and allowing a broader culture of abuse to persist. The legislation would formally designate hazing as a mandated, reportable offense. By clarifying responsibilities for educators, coaches, and other adults who interact with young people, the proposal aims to strengthen safeguards and ensure prompt action when concerns arise.
SEN. ART HAYWOOD
SEN. LISA BAKER