Through a life-saving legislative collaboration between Phoenix Attorney Pat McGroder, Arizona State Representative John Kavanagh (R) Dist. 23, Grace Culolias (the mother of Jack Culolias), and the family of hazing victim Christian Leventhal, a new anti-hazing law, ‘Jack’s Law,’ will soon go into that effect that makes hazing a crime in Arizona.

The new legislation House Bill 2322 ‘Jack’s Law’ was signed in August by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. It goes into effect on Sept. 24 and protects both college and high school students.

The law is named after 19-year-old ASU student Jack Culolias, who died as result of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol during a fraternity pledge event. His body was later recovered in Tempe Town Lake some three weeks later.

“No other parent should ever have to go through losing a child to these horrendous hazing acts,” says Grace Culolias.

‘Jack’s Law’ in Arizona makes hazing a crime and makes hazing resulting in death a felony. The law protects against physical and mental abuse, as well as sexual humiliation.

Proponents hope the new law will save collegiates in the Greek system and others as universities and schools return to campus this fall.
“The purpose of Jack’s Law is to save lives, plain and simple so this law also contains a provision to prevent the prosecution of those who take an injured student to the emergency room, or otherwise seek help from the authorities,” says Pat McGroder, plaintiff’s attorney for the Culolias family. “Jack Culolias should have never been hazed in the first place. We want to stop hazing of all forms but the moment he was in distress, someone should have come to his aide and taken him to the hospital.”

Jack’s Law also updates a pre-existing Arizona law that directed public universities to establish anti-hazing programs and regulations.

Currently 44 other states have anti-hazing legislation. Arizona was one of six states that didn’t carry any kind of penalty for active hazing participants until now.

Other victims include 18-year-old Christian Leventhal who nearly died and sustained permanent medical complications following a series of hazing incidents during “Hell Week” by a fraternity at ASU in 2018.

As a result, Attorney Pat McGroder won large settlements for the Leventhal family and the family of Jack Culolias. McGroder worked with victims and Rep. Kavanagh on legislation to help prevent further tragedies.