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Haler proposes bill to
protect all students
from sexual predators
Legislation would close the '18-year-old' loophole
used in a recent Richland case
The 2009 Legislature got underway yesterday with the usual pomp and
circumstance, including swearing-in ceremonies for new members and
good-natured ribbing between political parties.
Rep.
Larry Haler, R-Richland, used the first day of
session as a launching pad to get started on one of his most important
priorities of the year: protecting all students from sexual
predators at school.
"Students in our schools should be safe from being preyed upon by school
employees, period," Haler said. "There is a level
of trust and authority that comes into the relationship between school
students and school personnel. That sanctity of trust must not be
violated - ever - no matter the age of the student."
Haler said the current law is too vague and has led to
two recent situations in which teachers who were accused of having sex
with their 18-year-old students had the cases dismissed because the
students were not "minors," as defined by the statute.
"There is some ambiguity under the current law," Haler
said. "The way the statute is written, it looks like the
Legislature intended the law to only apply to those students under 18
years of age. But we have many students that reach 18 years - and
older - before graduating. Those students should have equal
protections from the sexual misconduct of school employees. This
is especially critical with our alternative education and
developmentally disabled students."
Haler said the Richland School Board was instrumental
in bringing this issue to him after one of the incidents involved a
Richland High School music teacher.
"I want to thank the Richland School Board for bringing this matter to
my attention," Haler said. "They are being
diligent in their efforts to protect all of the students in their care."
Haler's bill,
House
Bill 1013, includes language to protect students up
to 21 years of age from sexual predators employed by the school
district. The new language would apply to both first and second
degree sexual misconduct with a minor.
The bill also includes new minimum prison sentences for first and second
degree sexual misconduct - five years and one year, respectively - if
the crimes involve a student/school personnel relationship.
Haler's bill has been assigned to the House Public
Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee for further consideration.
The 2009 Legislature began on Monday and is scheduled to last 105 days.
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For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Senior
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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