18.2-55.1 - Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability. - Virginia Statutes

§ 18.2-55.1. Hazing of youth gang members unlawful; criminal liability.

It shall be unlawful to cause bodily injury by hazing (i) any member of acriminal street gang as defined in § 18.2-46.1, or (ii) a person seeking tobecome a member of a youth gang or criminal street gang. Any person foundguilty of hazing is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

For the purposes of this section, "hazing" means to recklessly orintentionally endanger the health or safety of a person or to inflict bodilyinjury on a person in connection with or for the purpose of initiation,admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membershipin a youth gang or criminal street gang regardless of whether the person soendangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.

(2004, c. 850; 2005, c. 843.)