{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-56.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-56.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-56.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-56.html"}],"law_id":86902,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86902,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-71; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2003, cc. 62, 67; 2014, c. 627.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful to haze so as to cause bodily injury, any student at any school or institution of higher education.\n\t\tAny person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tAny person receiving bodily injury by hazing shall have a right to sue, civilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.\n\t\tThe president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon satisfactory proof of the guilt of any student hazing another student, sanction and discipline such student in accordance with the institution’s policies and procedures. The institution’s policies and procedures shall provide for expulsions or other appropriate discipline based on the facts and circumstances of each case and shall be consistent with the model policies established by the Department of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, as applicable. The president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall report hazing which causes bodily injury to the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such school or institution of higher education is, who shall take such action as he deems appropriate.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “hazing” means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":311125,"text":"It shall be unlawful to haze so as to cause bodily injury, any student at any school or institution of higher education.\n\t\tAny person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tAny person receiving bodily injury by hazing shall have a right to sue, civilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.\n\t\tThe president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon satisfactory proof of the guilt of any student hazing another student, sanction and discipline such student in accordance with the institution’s policies and procedures. The institution’s policies and procedures shall provide for expulsions or other appropriate discipline based on the facts and circumstances of each case and shall be consistent with the model policies established by the Department of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, as applicable. The president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall report hazing which causes bodily injury to the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such school or institution of higher education is, who shall take such action as he deems appropriate.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “hazing” means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Assaults and Bodily Woundings","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:39","permalink":{"id":164963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13717,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":164763,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13100,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":72243,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51","catch_line":"Shooting, stabbing, etc., with intent to maim, kill, etc","url":"\/18.2-51\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51","metadata":false},{"id":72165,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.1","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury to law-enforcement officers, firefighters, search and rescue personnel, or emergency medical services personnel; 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penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.6\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.6","metadata":false},{"id":87497,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-51.7","catch_line":"Female genital mutilation; penalty","url":"\/18.2-51.7\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-51.7","metadata":false},{"id":60388,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52","catch_line":"Malicious bodily injury by means of any caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire","url":"\/18.2-52\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52","metadata":false},{"id":65361,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52.1","catch_line":"Possession of infectious biological substances or radiological agents; penalties","url":"\/18.2-52.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.1","metadata":false},{"id":66384,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-52.2","catch_line":"Animal attack resulting from owner's disregard for human life; penalty","url":"\/18.2-52.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-52.2","metadata":false},{"id":63001,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-53","catch_line":"Shooting, etc., in committing or attempting a felony","url":"\/18.2-53\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-53","metadata":false},{"id":76539,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-53.1","catch_line":"Use or display of firearm in committing felony","url":"\/18.2-53.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-53.1","metadata":false},{"id":64209,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-54","catch_line":"Conviction of lesser offenses under certain indictments","url":"\/18.2-54\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54","metadata":false},{"id":58105,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-54.1","catch_line":"Attempts to poison","url":"\/18.2-54.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.1","metadata":false},{"id":66847,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-54.2","catch_line":"Adulteration of food, drink, drugs, cosmetics, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-54.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-54.2","metadata":false},{"id":82347,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55","catch_line":"Bodily injuries caused by prisoners, state juvenile probationers and state and local adult probationers or adult parolees","url":"\/18.2-55\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55","metadata":false},{"id":69835,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55.1","catch_line":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","metadata":false},{"id":86902,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56","catch_line":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","metadata":false},{"id":75271,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","metadata":false},{"id":57206,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.2","catch_line":"Allowing access to firearms by children; penalty","url":"\/18.2-56.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.2","metadata":false},{"id":64628,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57","catch_line":"Assault and battery; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57","metadata":false},{"id":58241,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.01","catch_line":"Pointing laser at law-enforcement officer unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.01\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.01","metadata":false},{"id":67857,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.02","catch_line":"Disarming a law-enforcement or correctional officer; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.02\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.02","metadata":false},{"id":65560,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-57.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.1","metadata":false},{"id":72208,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.2","catch_line":"Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty","url":"\/18.2-57.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.2","metadata":false},{"id":59318,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.3","catch_line":"Persons charged with first offense of assault and battery against a family or household member may be placed on local community-based probation; conditions; education and treatment programs; costs and fees; violations; discharge","url":"\/18.2-57.3\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.3","metadata":false},{"id":66795,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.4","catch_line":"Reporting findings of assault and battery to military family advocacy representatives","url":"\/18.2-57.4\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.4","metadata":false},{"id":70823,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-57.5","catch_line":"Certain matters not to constitute defenses","url":"\/18.2-57.5\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-57.5","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69835,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-55.1","catch_line":"Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability","url":"\/18.2-55.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-55.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75271,"structure_id":13717,"section_number":"18.2-56.1","catch_line":"Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while hunting","url":"\/18.2-56.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-56\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 2003, chapters 62<\/a> and 67<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 627<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62824,"section_number":"16.1-278.8","catch_line":"Delinquent juveniles","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.8\/"},{"id":61280,"section_number":"19.2-392.02","catch_line":"National criminal background checks by businesses and organizations regarding employees or volunteers providing care to children or the elderly or disabled","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.02\/"},{"id":74451,"section_number":"22.1-279.6","catch_line":"Board of Education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct; school board regulations","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-279.6\/"},{"id":86654,"section_number":"23.1-1301","catch_line":"Governing boards; powers","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1301\/"},{"id":84569,"section_number":"23.1-819","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-819\/"},{"id":75182,"section_number":"37.2-314","catch_line":"Background check required","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-314\/"},{"id":67357,"section_number":"37.2-416.1","catch_line":"Background checks required; adult substance abuse and mental health services","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-416.1\/"},{"id":61726,"section_number":"37.2-506.1","catch_line":"Background checks required; adult substance abuse and mental health services","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-506.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":165037,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86902,"identifier":"18.2-56","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","url":"\/18.2-56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-56\/","token":"18.2\/4\/4\/18.2-56","dublin_core":{"Title":"Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-56","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful to haze so as to cause bodily injury, any student at any school or institution of higher education.\n\t\tAny person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>.\n\t\tAny person receiving bodily injury by hazing<\/span> shall have a right to sue, civilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.\n\t\tThe president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon satisfactory proof of the guilt of any student hazing<\/span> another student, sanction<\/span> and discipline such student in accordance with the institution’s policies and procedures. The institution’s policies and procedures shall provide for expulsions or other appropriate discipline based on the facts<\/span> and circumstances of each case and shall be consistent with the model policies established by the Department of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, as applicable. The president or other presiding official of any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall report hazing<\/span> which causes bodily injury to the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such school or institution of higher education is, who shall take such action as he deems appropriate.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “hazing<\/span>” means to recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHAZING UNLAWFUL; CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY; DUTY OF SCHOOL, ETC., OFFICIALS;\nPENALTY (\u00a7 18.2-56)\n\nIt shall be unlawful to haze so as to cause bodily injury, any student at any\nschool or institution of higher education.\n\t\tAny person found guilty thereof shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\t\tAny person receiving bodily injury by hazing shall have a right to sue,\ncivilly, the person or persons guilty thereof, whether adults or infants.\n\t\tThe president or other presiding official of any school or institution of\nhigher education receiving appropriations from the state treasury shall, upon\nsatisfactory proof of the guilt of any student hazing another student, sanction\nand discipline such student in accordance with the institution’s policies\nand procedures. The institution’s policies and procedures shall provide\nfor expulsions or other appropriate discipline based on the facts and\ncircumstances of each case and shall be consistent with the model policies\nestablished by the Department of Education or the State Council of Higher\nEducation for Virginia, as applicable. The president or other presiding official\nof any school or institution of higher education receiving appropriations from\nthe state treasury shall report hazing which causes bodily injury to the\nattorney for the Commonwealth of the county or city in which such school or\ninstitution of higher education is, who shall take such action as he deems\nappropriate.\n\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “hazing” means to recklessly or\nintentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to\ninflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the\npurpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for\ncontinued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority,\nor student body regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or\ninjured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-71; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2003, cc. 62,\n67; 2014, c. 627.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}