Congress orders military to study hazing as standalone crime
H.R. 9024 — Harry Lew and Danny Chen Military Justice Reform Act · Filed by Judy Chu (D-CA) · 18 cosponsors · Introduced May 26, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to study whether the military should create a new, standalone criminal offense for hazing under military law (the Uniform Code of Military Justice). The Secretary must develop a definition of hazing and report findings to Congress within 180 days. The bill does not itself create the offense or change military law—it only requires analysis and a recommendation.
Why we flagged it
The bill is a straightforward directive for analysis and reporting on a potential military criminal law reform. It does not enact policy but mandates a feasibility study on hazing criminalization, named after two soldiers whose deaths were linked to hazing.
What the text implies
- A formal study may create political and institutional pressure on the DoD to adopt the recommendations, even if the Secretary's analysis concludes against a separate article.
- The 180-day timeline is tight for a comprehensive analysis involving the Joint Service Committee; rushed conclusions may lack depth or inter-service consensus.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
Military personnel and their families gain transparency and potential protection through a formal study of hazing criminalization. The bill creates accountability by requiring the military to examine whether current law adequately addresses hazing and to propose a dedicated offense, which may deter abuse and provide clearer legal recourse for victims.