In the latest update from the Santulli family’s journey to recovery, Missouri lawmakers are considering House Bill 1443, also called “Danny’s Law.” Sponsored by Travis Smith (R-Dora), the law would grant immunity from felony hazing charges to whoever calls 911 and remains with the victim of a hazing incident. MU students and members of Green organizations, as well as members of the family, spoke out in support of Danny’s Law.
Danny’s aunt, Chrissy Prioleau, “said fear led to lost time, which cost Danny and his loved ones dearly,” per the NBC 8 KOMU report. “If I could have that 10 minutes back or that 15 minutes back that it took them to get everybody together to pick him up, to take him to the car, dropping him one time, getting lost in the car,” she said. “Yes, (to) that driver, no you don’t need to be prosecuted. Give me that 10, 15 minutes back because Danny would not be in the state he is.”
The law does not, however, provide immunity from university sanctions. “You can be sure, regardless of this bill, that the university is going to take action. They can expel the players in these incidents from school,” David Bianchi said.
ABC and NBC reporters noted that Danny’s Law resembles Andrew’s Law, Florida’s version of the hazing immunity protection drafted by STFBC’s David Bianchi and Michael Levine. When Andrew’s Law was passed, anti-hazing experts called it “groundbreaking,” a major innovation to protect the victims of hazing.
Our firm, alongside the Santulli family, hopes the same for Danny’s Law.
For now, the bill is in the House Committee on Crime Prevention and Public Safety.
If it passes the committee, it will go to the House, the Senate, and then the governor’s desk.