CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Anti-hazing groups are applauding a new federal law President Biden signed last week. The “Stop Campus Hazing Act” makes it so schools need to report when a hazing incident happens on campus and education of hazing awareness and prevention. This law comes after the University of Iowa suspended the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity for a hazing incident in November.

Iowa City Police said they were responding to a fire alarm that had been pulled when they arrived, they found 56 fraternity pledges blindfolded and food splattered on them. Organizations said they hope this law will give parents a better idea of when a hazing incident will occur. Todd Shelton, Executive Director of the Hazing Prevention Network tells KCRG-TV hazing doesn’t necessarily belong to any particular organization or any team on the U-of-I campus.

The Indiana-based nonprofit works to educate people about the harms of hazing and how to prevent it on college campuses, high schools, workplaces, and sports organizations. Shelton said the “Stop Campus Hazing Act” will help bring some transparency to the issue. The law will make it so schools need to report when a hazing incident happens on campus during its annual security report under the federal Clery Act. All three public colleges in Iowa already have methods of reporting hazing on campus but now all post-secondary schools are required to keep it posted for five years.

Shelton said the law sheds more light and education on hazing and how to prevent it but said now they want those committing the crimes of hazing to be held accountable, specifically in incidents where physical and serious harm took place. In Iowa, that’s considered a simple misdemeanor.