Matt's Law

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 It has been suggested that Chi Tau be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Matt's Law (a/k/a (Senate Bill 1454), sponsored by Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), is a California law that allows for felony prosecutions when serious injuries or deaths result from hazing rites. The bill increases the severity of charges for some hazing rituals, from misdemeanors to felonies, and for the first time gives prosecutors the ability to seek hazing charges against nonstudents. In a 34-2 vote, Matt’s Law passed the state Senate on May 30th, 2006. On September 19, 2006, the statute was signed into law by governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.[citation needed]

Matt's Law was named in memory of Matt Carrington, a 21-year-old California State University, Chico student from Concord, California. Carrington died in the basement of a fraternity house located two short blocks from campus.

Prior to the enactment of Matt's Law, hazing – even in the case of death – was only a misdemeanor, as part of California's education code, rather than punishable under the state's penal code. Matt's Law prevents unaffiliated fraternities from using the argument that they cannot be punished for hazing, simply because they are not student organizations. The law also gives prosecutors clear authority to bring charges against anyone or any organization involved in hazing, not just currently enrolled students.

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[edit] Background

See also: Chi Tau#Hazing death

On February 2, 2005, Matt Carrington died as the direct result of a hazing ritual. He experienced seizures after drinking copious amounts of water as part of a hazing ritual. Stunned members of the fraternity that Carrington intended to join delayed calling for emergency help for over an hour.

[edit] The frat house basement

In the winter in 2005, near Chico State University in Chico, California, two pledges descended into the cold basement of the unrecognized Chi Tau (formerly Delta Sigma Phi) fraternity house for a final hazing rite. One of them, Carrington, was forced to drink water and do calisthenics in the basement with fans blowing on him. The 'water intoxication' ritual, which dates back over twenty years at the Chi Tau (ΧΤ) fraternity, caused swelling of his brain, seizures, and heart failure. Hours later Matt Carrington was dead.

[edit] Aftermath of incident

Four young men pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the hazing death of Matt Carrington. Media from all over the United States came to the Butte County courtroom for the sentencing, including reporters and camera crews from Dateline NBC and Inside Edition.

[edit] External links

  • ContraCostaTimes.com - 'New "Matt's Law" toughens penalties for college hazing: 21-year-old Chico State student's death last year at fraternity prompted bill', Matt Krupnick, Contra Costa Times (September 20, 2006)
  • HankNuwer.com - 'Hazing Blog: Hazing News and Views – Moderated by Hank Nuwer'
  • InsideHazing.com 'Matt's Law Bill Number: SB 1454, Introduced Bill Text, Text Introduced by Senator Torlakson'
  • NewsReview.com - 'Guilty pleas don't ease pain', Mark Lore, News and Review
  • TheOrion.com - 'Pledge's family pushes for anti-hazing law', Lauren Brooks, The Orion (October 19, 2005)

[edit] Multimedia

  • WeMissYouMatt.com - 'Matt Carrington, November, 1983 - February, 2005, Your Light Forever Shines'

[edit] Map