PA House committee approves felony charges for teacher sexual assault cases
The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a bill that would make it a felony offense for a teacher or school employee, coach or counselor, to engage in sexual relations with any student. HB 924 was sponsored originally by Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery) and has bipartisan support.
The current law criminalizes such acts with students under the age of 16.
“Those we entrust to educate and watch over our children should not engage in any sexual activity with them at any age,” reads a statement from Shapiro. “This commonsense bipartisan legislation will protect our children.”
The bill makes such crimes third-degree felonies and punishable by up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
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