McNamara submits legislation that would create zero tolerance policies for school sports hazing incidents

STATE HOUSE — Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has introduced legislation that would create a statewide anti-hazing policy for Rhode Island public schools.

The bill (2026-H 7003), which would compel the Department of Education to develop the policy in conjunction with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, would establish zero tolerance for hazing and ensure discipline that is transparent and consistent. The guiding principle behind the policy would be that hazing, bullying and harassment have no place in any school environment.

“As a retired educator, coach and former student athlete, I can state without reservation that hazing is degrading, abusive and dangerous,” said Representative McNamara, who chairs the House Education Committee. “We’ve all worked hard to make schools safer, more welcoming and more inclusive. Athletics should not be an exception to that rule. Regardless of what form it takes, hazing creates an environment of trauma and humiliation, and we have to take it more seriously.”

The legislation comes on the heels of an incident at Smithfield High School where five seniors locked a freshman in the bathroom while spraying him with Lysol, and another at Rogers High School in Newport where four teens were arrested for assaulting a student with special needs in a locker room.

Under the bill, the policy would include a statewide definition of hazing. In addition, sanctions and penalties would be imposed on students and student-athletes who engage in hazing incidents, and could include suspension from a team, as well as team-level consequences, which could include the cancelation of a team’s season. The policy would also include a requirement that each student-athlete sign an acknowledgement that a violation of the policy may result in the imposition of penalties and sanctions.

The legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Education.