Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2801 (2026)

Definitions.

✓ current as of May 2026

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CHAPTER 28

ANTIHAZING

Sec.

2801. Definitions.

2802. Hazing.

2803. Aggravated hazing.

2804. Organizational hazing.

2805. Institutional hazing.

2806. Defenses prohibited.

2807. Forfeiture.

2808. Enforcement by institution and secondary school.

2809. Institutional reports.

2810. Safe harbor.

2811. Civil remedies.

Enactment. Chapter 28 was added October 19, 2018, P.L.535, No.80, effective in 30 days. Section 8 of Act 80 provided that Act 80 shall be referred to as the "Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law."

Special Provisions in Appendix. See section 6 of Act 80 of 2018 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation of prior law.

Applicability. Section 7 of Act 80 of 2018 provided that the addition of Chapter 28 shall apply to causes of action which accrue on or after the effective date of section 7.

§ 2801. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"911 call." A transmission of information via a telecommunications device to a public safety answering point for the initial reporting of police, fire, medical or other emergency situations.

"Alcoholic liquid." A substance containing liquor, spirit, wine, beer, malt or brewed beverage or any combination thereof.

"Bodily injury." The term has the same meaning as given to that term in section 2301 (relating to definitions).

"Campus security officer." An employee of an institution of higher education charged with maintaining the safety and security of the property of the institution and the individuals on the property.

"Drug." A controlled substance or drug as defined in the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

"Emergency services personnel." Individuals, including a trained volunteer or a member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard, whose official or assigned responsibilities include performing or directly supporting the performance of emergency medical and rescue services or firefighting.

"Institution of higher education" or "institution." An institution located within this Commonwealth authorized to grant an associate or higher academic degree.

"Law enforcement officer." An individual who, by virtue of the individual's office or public employment, is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses, whether that duty extends to all offenses or is limited to specific offenses, or an individual on active State duty under 51 Pa.C.S. § 508 (relating to active duty for emergency).

"Minor." An individual younger than 18 years of age.

"Organization." Any of the following:

(1) A fraternity, sorority, association, corporation, order, society, corps, club or service, social or similar group, whose members are primarily minors, students or alumni of the organization, an institution or secondary school.

(2) A national or international organization with which a fraternity or sorority or other organization as enumerated under paragraph (1) is affiliated.

"Secondary school." A public or private school within this Commonwealth that provides instruction in grades 7 through 12 or a combination of grades 7 through 12.

"Serious bodily injury." The term shall have the same meaning as given to that term in section 2301.

"Student." An individual who attends or has applied to attend or has been admitted to an institution or secondary school.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1996–2024 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d 1247 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014).

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Commonwealth v. Buterbaugh, 91 A.3d 1247 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). “The Crimes Code provides an almost verbatim definition of deadly weapon as the one set forth in the Sentencing Guidelines: *1270 Any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing death or serious bodily injury, or any other…”

Commonwealth v. Lawrence, 960 A.2d 473 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2008). “” 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 2801. ¶ 14 At trial, the Commonwealth presented overwhelming evidence that Lawrence was guilty of aggravated assault.”

Commonwealth v. Caterino, 678 A.2d 389 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996). “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 2801. The test for sufficiency of the evidence is whether the evidence accepted as true, as well as all reasonable and permissible inferences, is sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Com. v. Young, B., 280 A.3d 1049 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 2× “§§ 5351-5354 (repealed and replaced with 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 2801- 2811 effective November 19, 2018).”

Jean v. Bucknell Univ. (M.D. Penn. 2021). “87 18 Pa. C.S. § 2801, et seq. 88 The Court additionally notes that the anti-hazing statute does not explicitly create a private right of action (thus likely precluding Jean’s standalone claim for hazing).”

Humphries v. Barber (M.D. Penn. 2024). “In its Opinion denying Barber’s Motion to Dismiss, the Court observed that “any alleged hazing that took place before November 18, 2018 is evaluated under the old antihazing statute,” 24 P.S. § 5351-54.”

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