Louisiana bill would require college students to take anti-hazing course under ‘Caleb Wilson Act’

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A bill filed for Louisiana’s 2025 legislative session would require college students who join campus organizations to take a one-credit hour course aimed at preventing hazing.

House Bill 279, also known as the Caleb Wilson Act, was filed by Rep. Delisha Boyd (D-New Orleans) in the wake of the hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson, 20, earlier this year. If passed, the law would go into effect in the fall semester of 2025.

The legislation would apply to any student who becomes a member of an on-campus organization, such as a fraternity, sorority, athletic team, spirit group, or club. Under the proposed law, those students would be required to complete a one-credit hour anti-hazing course within their first two semesters of membership. If the student is a minor, their parent or legal guardian would also receive the course materials.

The proposed course builds on existing state law, which already requires hazing prevention education through student handbooks and organization-led training. However, this bill would create a more formal and standardized course requirement at Louisiana colleges and universities.

Connection to Caleb Wilson’s death

Wilson, a Southern student and member of the Human Jukebox marching band, died after allegedly being punched in the chest during an off-campus hazing ritual while pledging Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Three men—Caleb McCray, Kyle Thurman, and Isaiah Smith—were arrested in connection with the incident. McCray faces an additional manslaughter charge.

In response, Southern University launched an internal investigation, suspended all fraternity, sorority, and club recruitment, and issued a cease-and-desist order for the local Omega Psi Phi chapter.

Comparison to Max Gruver Law

The Caleb Wilson Act draws comparisons to the Max Gruver Law, passed in 2018 after LSU freshman Max Gruver died in a hazing incident. That law increased criminal penalties for hazing, including felony charges for hazing that results in serious bodily harm or death.

However, the Caleb Wilson Act focuses on prevention through education, rather than punishment. While the Gruver Law addresses consequences for hazing violations, Boyd’s bill aims to intervene before hazing occurs.

Louisiana First News has reached out to Southern University for comment.

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