FRANKFORT, Ky. — The state Senate overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), better known as “Lofton’s Law.”
Sen. Robby Mills, (R-Henderson) introduced Lofton’s Law in response to the hazing death of University of Kentucky freshman, Thomas “Lofton” Hazelwood. Hazelwood died of acute alcohol poisoning on Oct. 18, 2021, while pledging a fraternity. The coroner ruled the young man’s blood alcohol level was 0.354, nearly four and a half times over the legal limit.
“Lofton’s death is an absolute tragedy that no parent should ever go through, especially due to a needless and preventable death,” Mills said. “As a father of two boys, I find this unacceptable and cannot fathom receiving a call that my child was killed because of hazing.”
According to a release from the Senate Majority Caucus, colleges and universities enact anti-hazing policies. Right now, penalties include expulsion or suspension of the student and the organization.
If SB 9 is signed into law, Lofton’s Law would make the penalty for hazing, resulting in physical harm or death, a Class D felony. Anyone engaging in hazing that doesn’t cause physical harm would face Class A misdemeanor charges.
Hazelwood’s parents, Tracy and Kirk, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. Tracy Hazelwood told the committee about receiving the call that changed her family forever.
She said, “We don’t want anyone to go through what we went through. I want everyone to think about being three hours away and you get that phone call. We just jumped in the car. We live in Henderson County. Before we got to Owensboro, the doctor called and told us to pull over to the side of the road.”
Lofton’s Law now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. If signed into law, Kentucky will join 14 other states that now classify hazing as a felony.