|
Legislature closes loophole
that allowed teachers to have sex with students over 18 years-old
8th District legislators work together to
successfully protect all students at school
The House of Representatives today voted 82-16 to close a loophole in
current law that allows teachers to have sex with students over 18
years-old.
Rep.
Larry Haler, R-Richland, prime sponsored
House
Bill 1385,
while
Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, sponsored similar
legislation in the Senate.
The bill 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.
Haler
issued the following statement after today's House vote:
"I introduced this legislation early on in the session. It's been
a long road but to have this legislation pass the Legislature and sent
to the governor's desk is truly one of the highlights of my legislative
career.
"As elected officials, one of our paramount duties is to protect our
citizens. Keeping our families, communities and students safe is
of the highest priority.
"I am absolutely ecstatic that my colleagues in both the House and
Senate have agreed that we need to extend legal protection to all of our
students, no matter their ages. With many of our students staying
in school well past 18-years of age, it was absolutely imperative that
we close this loophole."
Delvin issued this statement:
"The parents of the Tri-Cities never let me forget for one minute that
this was a fight for the safety of their kids. All day, every day
they entrust their children to teachers and school employees who have
pledged to keep their children safe. Today's legislation makes it
crystal clear that all students in Washington state secondary schools
are protected from teacher sexual misconduct to age 21, the age limit
for secondary school children. I particularly wanted to protect
the students with developmental disabilities and this legislation will
do it."
# # #
For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Senior
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698, or
Pat Albright, Public Information
Officer: (360) 786-7519
|