Kentucky legislators seeking change in law after Henderson teen's hazing death at UK
In response to the 2021 hazing death of 18-year-old Thomas "Lofton" Hazelwood, Kentucky state legislators proposed a bill Thursday that would make fraternity hazing a Class D felony in the state.
Hazelwood grew up in Henderson and was a University of Kentucky freshman when he died of acute alcohol poisoning on Oct. 18, 2021, while pledging at the FarmHouse Fraternity, a Greek organization founded at the University of Missouri in 1905.
The 18-year-old was reportedly left alone at the fraternity house after being made to drink 18 shots of whiskey.
Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, and Rep. Jonathan Dixon, R-Henderson, proposed Bill Request 161 Thursday morning after listening to testimony from Hazelwood's parents, Tracy and Kirk Hazelwood, according to a news release.
Fraternity hazing: Kentucky 18-year-old remembered for love of outdoors after death at UK fraternity
The proposed bill, named "Lofton's Law," would increase the penalty for hazing that results in physical harm or death to a Class D felony.
Reckless participation in hazing that does not cause physical harm would be upped to a Class A misdemeanor.
UK police investigated Hazelwood's death but ultimately determined there was no direct evidence he was forced or coerced to drink excessively. However, FarmHouse's student organization status revoked until December 2025.
"It was well-known that Farmhouse hazed their pledges and like other fraternities caught [was] caught participating in hazing and excessive drinking," Mills' office said in the news release. "Farmhouse was suspended from campus and all members banned from contact for seven years."
In the aftermath of Hazelwood's death, UK mandated all Interfraternity Council Members undergo training that "will increase awareness and education around our student's responsibilities with respect to critical issues such as hazing, alcohol use and bystander intervention," the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.
Lofton Hazelwood: What we know about the frat house death of University of Kentucky student
According to publicly available records, eight UK Greek organizations are currently facing "disciplinary probation" for hazing, misuse of alcohol and other code of conduct violations.
In addition to FarmHouse, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Tau Omega also currently have their student organization status completely revoked.
Hazing is 'out of control'
Tracy and Kirk Hazelwood have campaigned for stricter anti-hazing laws in Kentucky and spoken to students throughout the state about the dangers of excessive drinking and hazing, Mills said Thursday.
During her testimony, Tracy Hazelwood described hazing as "out of control" and noted the 76 deaths attributed to hazing in the United States since 2005.
"Kentucky needs a law against hazing," she told the Interim Joint-Committee on Justice and Judiciary Thursday morning. "No parents should have to experience what we have had to experience losing our son. We need this law to pass as soon as possible."
If "Lofton's Law" is passed during the 2023 legislative session, Kentucky would become the 14th state to classify hazing as a felony.
Henderson News:1 pedestrian dead after hit-and-run
“Hazing can lead to injury, death and destruction of Kentucky families and it’s time the General Assembly passes a law like many other states have, punishing these reckless and outright dangerous traditions we know lead to senseless tragedy," Mills said.
Thomas Hazelwood's family described him in his obituary as "the baby of the family" and a lover of all things outdoors.
Family members told Lexington media outlets Thomas Hazelwood was the youngest of four siblings and became interested in agriculture after working a summer job on a farm. He was a Henderson High School graduate, where he played on the golf team.
Tracy Hazelwood told the joint committee no mother should have to suffer the loss of a child due to hazing: "While [B.R. 161] won't bring Lofton back, it may save somebody else's son."
Houston Harwood can be contacted at houston.harwood@courierpress.com with story ideas and questions.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Lofton's Law would make hazing a felony in Kentucky
