Sandy Springs lawmaker Joe Wilkinson pushing for anti-hazing legislation

A Sandy Springs lawmaker wants anyone convicted of hazing to be kicked out of school.

State Rep. Joe Wilkinson is sponsoring the bill.

"There is no excuse for it," he told Channel 2's Erica Byfield.

Wilkinson introduced House Bill 659 last year. He told Byfield that since lawmakers retued from their break, his bill is gaining a lot of attention because DeKalb County native and former Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion's death has been blamed on hazing.

"I sometimes wonder if I should not have pushed the bill sooner," Wilkinson said.

The bill reads, "Any person convicted of violating this code section shall not be eligible to enroll in or attend a school."

Wilkinson said it's unclear how many people are convicted of hazing in Georgia annually.

Byfield checked with several metro law enforcement agencies and found none of them investigated hazing complaints within the last year.

On Friday, Champion's family sent Channel 2 Action News a statement, "We need to continue to look for and support effective and innovative ways to eradicate the culture of hazing at our schools, colleges and universities."

Wilkinson said university presidents tell him most of the hazing is occurring in college athletic programs. He told Byfield some believe his bill goes too far.

"What is being proposed is that it would be a one-semester suspension, and if you are convicted a second time, you are out all together," Wilkinson said.

The lawmaker expects to have a hearing on the hazing bill within two weeks.