The House Criminal Justice passed the Max Gruver Act without objection today which will make hazing a felony crime in Louisiana.

Gruver died following an alleged hazing incident one month into his first semester at LSU. Parents Rae Ann and Steven Gruver both tearfully laid out their son's final hours before the committee, asking them to pass this law.

“There should be zero tolerance by introducing this legislation that changes this culture and ends hazing it will save lives. It would have saved Max’s and it definitely will saves lives in the future. Fly High Max.”

Fighting back tears, Rae Ann, emphasized how this death has affected her family.
“We dropped Max off at LSU an amazing caring sweet young man who was starting to spread his wings and start shining his light on the world, now our family is broken,” she testified.

Steven Gruver talked about meeting with other parents of kids who have perished from hazing.

“Something very bad happened to our son, House bill 78 will ultimately help create something good in this state and the rest of the country we really look for y’alls support.” The bill was amended to be called “The Max Gruver Act.”

Brooke McCulley was Max’s friend and she testified how difficult it was for her because she says when you know someone who dies from hazing its different.

”Max’s death wasn’t an accident because hazing isn’t an accident,” she explained. “It’s a dangerous crime and it should be treated as such.”

The measure now moves to the house floor for debate. A similar bill is moving through the Senate as well.

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