BATON ROUGE, La. — A new bill named in memory of a Southern University student who died following an alleged hazing incident is making its way to the Louisiana legislature, with hopes of preventing similar tragedies on college campuses.
House Bill 279, also known as the Caleb Wilson Act, was introduced in early April by State Rep. Delisha Boyd (D–New Orleans). The legislation is a direct response to the death of Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student who passed away in February 2025, sparking outrage and calls for reform across the state.
Education over punishment
If passed, the Caleb Wilson Act would require all incoming freshmen, student-athletes, members of Greek organizations, and band participants at Louisiana colleges and universities to complete a mandatory one-hour anti-hazing education course. Course materials would also be made available to parents or guardians of minor students, ensuring families are informed and engaged.
“I wanted to have something where we can teach our kids — the ones who might be hazed — that it’s okay to say no, and the ones doing the hazing to understand that they could be throwing their lives away,” said Rep. Boyd, a close friend of the Wilson family.
Unlike the Max Gruver Act of 2018, which made hazing a felony following the death of an LSU student, the Caleb Wilson Act focuses on prevention instead of punishment. Boyd believes education is key to dismantling dangerous traditions before they escalate.
A shift in campus culture
“For one second, I don’t believe anybody went out that night with the intention of someone dying,” Boyd said. “I want a course that centers around explaining everything about hazing.”
Advocates of the bill hope it will reshape campus culture by addressing hazing before it leads to criminal behavior. Boyd also shared her long-term vision of expanding the course into a graduation requirement, embedding hazing awareness into every student’s college experience.
“We want our kids to be loved, healthy, and getting an education — which is what they went to school for,” she added.
What’s next
The Caleb Wilson Act will be considered during the 2025 Louisiana legislative session, which opens later this month. If approved, it could establish a new national standard for hazing prevention through education and community engagement.
Original reporting by Perry Robinson, WAFB.