A bill aimed at discouraging hazing on college campuses with upgraded penalties regained momentum in the New Jersey Legislature on Wednesday after nearly a year of dormancy—and just in time for the fall’s anticipated reopening of schools, its supporters contend.

The measure, known as the Timothy J. Piazza Law, seeks to impose stiffer penalties for the activity and expands the definition of hazing to include conduct that causes, coerces or forces the consumption of alcohol or drugs.