Сенатор штата Пенсильвания планирует законодательно приравнять буллинг к детскому насилию

State Sen. Art Haywood plans to introduce legislation requiring hazing incidents to be reported as child abuse in Pennsylvania, citing the 2025 Cheltenham High School football hazing scandal. — WHYY/Avi Wolfman-Arent State Sen. Art Haywood plans to introduce legislation requiring hazing incidents to be reported as child abuse in Pennsylvania, citing the 2025 Cheltenham High School football hazing scandal. — WHYY/Avi Wolfman-Arent State Sen. Art Haywood, a Democrat whose district includes Cheltenham Township, said he will push colleagues during the upcoming legislative session to pass a law classifying hazing as reportable child abuse. The Pennsylvania legislative session reconvenes on Sept. 28. Haywood's push comes in the wake of at least two hazing incidents that involved the football team at Cheltenham High School last year. Last month six players and four coaches were charged by a grand jury for their roles in the incidents that happened in August and September 2025. Last week, Brian Scriven resigned his position as superintendent of the Cheltenham School District. The legislation would require teachers, coaches and administrators to report suspected hazing. Pennsylvania already requires designated professionals to report suspected child abuse. Hazing between students, however, does not automatically trigger that requirement. “The hazing legislation is basically to make sure that when there is a hazing incident, it's reported,” Haywood told the Tribune. “Just like there is reporting for child or elder abuse ... wherever it is we’ve got to address it.” Hazing is not just a Cheltenham concern, it is a concern for residents in all communities, Haywood said, adding that the legislation is a priority for his office heading into the upcoming legislative session. “We’ve got to respond ... directly with intervention, communication, and community programs," he said. “We began to address some of the terrible conduct connected with football with the reporting requirements after the Sandusky scandal,” said Haywood, referring to Jerry Sandusky, the former assistant football coach at Penn State who was convicted of sexual abuse. “But there has been a gap in terms of requiring reporting of hazing incidents and my office is creating legislation to fill that gap.” Haywood said the new legislation could be one way that the community can fight against hazing and ensure accountability for all parties and require possible investigations with consequences. “Lack of attention shouldn’t mean that we don’t address it,” he said. “One thing that happens from attention is there’s more focus on a remedy and that’s exactly what is coming out of this terrible and unfortunate Cheltenham situation.” The senator said his proposed legislation alone will not address the problems stemming from hazing. He is also working with Pastor Alyn Waller from Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Mount Airy; Pastor Marshall Mitchell from Salem Baptist Church of Abington, and state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who represents parts of Montgomery County that includes Cheltenham Township. “There really should be a zero-tolerance policy across school districts, across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and really across the country,” said Haywood. Stay informed and connected — subscribe to The Philadelphia Tribune NOW! Click Here