Riverside, CA – Nearly seven years after the tragic death of 20-year-old Tyler Hilliard due to a brutal fraternity hazing incident, California has enacted "Tyler's Law" (AB 2193), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at preventing future hazing-related deaths and holding universities accountable. Hilliard's death, just a week before his junior year at UC Riverside was to begin, sparked outrage and a long fight for justice.
In September 2018, Hilliard attended a fraternity event at Mount Rubidoux, a popular hiking spot, with his pledge brothers. The event, referred to as "gold paddle day" in text messages found on Hilliard's phone, subjected pledges to extreme and dangerous hazing rituals. Reports from the time detailed horrific acts, including being forced to consume a whole onion covered in hot sauce, drinking excessive amounts of water, and being struck with a part of a cactus. The intense physical strain led to Hilliard's heart stopping seven times that night. He was pronounced dead soon after. While the incident was investigated as a hazing-related death, no criminal charges were ever filed against the individuals involved.
This lack of accountability fueled Hilliard's family's determination to bring about change. His mother, Myeasha Kimble, expressed her grief and relief at the passage of Tyler's Law, stating, "It's been a long time coming. Just the pain that we have experienced."
Tyler's Law, which goes into effect in 2026, significantly expands California's hazing laws. Crucially, it allows victims of hazing to sue universities if the institution knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazing activities and failed to take appropriate action to prevent them. This provision aims to incentivize universities to actively monitor and regulate Greek life and other student organizations to ensure compliance with anti-hazing policies.
Attorney V. James Desimone, who has been involved in the fight for this legislation, emphasized the importance of holding universities responsible. "It sends a message to these universities that if you’re going to have fraternities that are connected with your university, make sure that they are following the law and following the rule," Desimone stated. "Because hazing is a crime. And you will be prosecuted and you will be held accountable."
Beyond legal action, Tyler's Law also mandates that universities compile annual reports detailing all hazing incidents, including whether those incidents were associated with student organizations. This transparency measure will provide crucial data to track the prevalence of hazing and identify patterns that need to be addressed. The reporting requirement is expected to bring greater public awareness to the issue and encourage universities to take proactive steps to prevent hazing.
The law has garnered support from students as well. Dorian Hu, a USC student currently pledging a fraternity, told KTLA, "The school does have the brand name attached to these incidents. In my eyes, it does make sense that the schools are held accountable."
Tyler's Law represents a significant step forward in the fight against hazing. By empowering victims, holding universities accountable, and increasing transparency, it aims to create a safer campus environment for all students and ensure that no other family endures the devastating loss that the Hilliard family has suffered. This legislation serves as a powerful reminder that hazing is not a harmless tradition, but a dangerous and often deadly crime.
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