‘Danny’s Law’ went into effect Thursday and guarantees immunity from prosecution to 911 callers in the event of a hazing
By:Paige Hayes and Brian Smoot
The parents of Danny Santulli, a former University of Missouri student who was the victim of a fraternity hazing incident his freshman year, came back to Columbia as the Mizzou school year begins and Danny’s Law goes into effect.
Mizzou’s Interfraternity Council held an event for fraternity representatives that included a screening of the first episode of “House of Horrors: Secrets of Greek Life.” The A&E documentary details several hazing incidents and focuses on Santulli’s story in the first episode.
In October 2021, at a “Pledge Father Reveal” event at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Santulli was forced to drink excessive amounts of alcohol with his fellow pledges. His fraternity brothers, worried about legal repercussions, left him on a couch overnight without calling 911. He is now unable to see, walk or speak.
SB 167, known as “Danny’s Law,” guarantees immunity from prosecution to 911 callers in the event of a hazing. The state law went into effect Thursday.
“The event was very moving. There were a lot of non-dry eyes in the building on the Mizzou campus,” said Tom Santulli, Danny’s father.
Each IFC organization had four representatives at the screening. IFC President Wyatt Carlson said the representatives plan to recap the event with all of their members. Additionally, all members of Mizzou’s Greek Life are required to complete a three-part hazing-prevention training at the beginning of each year, Carlson said.
Both of Santulli’s parents were present at the event. The family shared their story with the fraternity members and answered questions from the group.
Some students expressed their wish that Danny’s Law had been adopted years ago, Tom Santulli said.
“It was very powerful,” Carlson said. “They are big supporters of the Mizzou community and did a wonderful job.”
Danny’s Law was passed in the Missouri Senate on Feb. 20 and signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe on July 9.
“We’re honored that they have his name as part of something really big in the state of Missouri,” Tom Santulli said, noting he hopes this makes an immediate impact.
This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.