Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California signed a bill on Friday that toughens the state’s anti-hazing laws and makes it possible for hazing victims and their family members to sue the perpetrators of hazing, according to an article in today’s Contra Costa Times. The law was enacted in response to the hazing death of a student at California State University at Chico.

The student, Matthew Carrington, died in February 2005 after members of the Chi Tau fraternity forced him and another pledge to drink vast quantities of water and do exercises in front of blowing fans after being drenched with water. He died of heart failure brought on by water intoxication. Four men subsequently pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the case and were sentenced to jail terms of up to one year (The Chronicle, October 31, 2005).

The new law upgrades some hazing charges from misdemeanors to felonies, makes it possible for nonstudents to be charged with hazing, and allows fraternity chapters and other groups that condone hazing—not just the individual perpetrators—to be sued by victims and their families.