Legislative news briefs for May 25, 1999

Tuesday, May 25, 1999 | 10:12 a.m.

Hazing at high schools and universities is now illegal under a bill signed by Gov. Kenny Guinn Monday.

Senate Bill 297, introduced by Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, was sought by students at UNLV. Schools in the University and Community College System of Nevada have regulations prohibiting the practice, but the students wanted a strong statement in state law.

Hazing is defined as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics or consumption of food, liquor or drugs and exposure to the elements.

This exempts athletic or quasi-military practice, conditioning or competition.

A person who engages in hazing in which there is no substantial bodily harm would be guilty of a misdemeanor. If there is substantial bodily harm, the offense becomes a gross misdemeanor. Consent of the victim is not a valid defense to prosecution, the new law says.

Assemblywoman has cancer

Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Sparks, who underwent exploratory surgery last week, is suffering from ovarian cancer, it was disclosed Monday.

Evans, 61, is recovering in Washoe Medical Center. When released she will receive follow-up treatments. She is not expected to return to the Legislature before the end of the session Monday.

Evans is not receiving visitors and requests that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the University of Nevada School of Medicine Library Building Fund.

Gov. Kenny Guinn issued a statement saying Evans has "proven herself to be a courageous woman and she will not go through this ordeal alone. Her many friends and supporters, including Dema and me, will be with her in spirit during her battle with this disease."

Evans is in her seventh term and is speaker pro-tem of the Assembly. She works as a development officer for the medical school at the university. She released the nature of her illness in a statement from the medical school.

Raises offered for accreditation

Gov. Kenny Guinn on Monday signed Senate Bill 46, giving 5 percent pay hikes to Nevada teachers who meet tough national accreditation standards.

The process to get certified takes a year and costs $2,000. Currently, there are no teachers in Nevada applying for certification.

While the 5 percent raise would provide an incentive, Debbie Cahill of the Nevada State Education Association said, a 10 percent raise would be more in line with what other states offer.