Washington State Criminalizes Student-Teacher Sex

(Olympia, Washington) In an embarrassing case last year, a teacher involved with an 18-year-old student was exonerated since state law didn't protect students older than age 17. Consequently, Washington state legislators took action.

The state House of Representatives gave the final stamp of approval on Tuesday to a bill making it a crime for public school employees to have sex with students up to age 21.

House Bill 1385, sponsored by Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, passed 82-16, and closes a legal loophole that prevented school employees from being prosecuted for having sex with students between the ages of 18 and 21.

With a similar version of the legislation having already passed the Senate, the final bill is ready to be submitted to the governor for signature. Good.