Raheel Siddiqui, of Taylor.

WASHINGTON — Following the death of Muslim Marine recruit Private  U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell is joining three congress members from California in introducing a bill to require the Pentagon to track and make annual reports on the problem of hazing in the military.

Siddiqui, 20, died on March 18, after arriving at Parris Island for boot camp.

Siddiqui’s family members say military investigators told them their son committed suicide by deliberately jumping off the third floor of a building. They are skeptical about this conclusion.

Hazing is forcing recruits of a group to strenuous or humiliating tasks as part of a program of rigorous physical training and initiation.

The Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act, named in honor of Rep. Judy Chu’s nephew, a marine who died after being hazed by his platoon in Afghanistan in 2011, would require the Pentagon to create a database of hazing incidents in the military and to submit an annual report on what is being done to stop hazing through training and response.

Dingell, who sent sent a letter to a U.S. marine commandeer seeking further clarification on the circumstances surrounding Siddiqui’s death, said many people have reached out to her to discuss hazing in the military.

“This was an intelligent, loyal, patriotic young Muslim man – and class valedictorian – who loved his country,” Dingell said in a statement. “Some are concerned that hazing may have been involved in the death of Private Siddiqui.”

The congresswoman called for an improved system that would track hazing and ensure accountability. 

“While I am waiting to get a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the death of my constituent, it is clear there have been issues in the past,” she said.

Dingell, Chu, Jackie Speier and Ted Lieu are introducing the bill.