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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Josh Shapiro |
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Reps. Shapiro, Vereb and
District Attorney Ferman announce
bill to crack down on institutional sexual assault
ABINGTON, June 21 – At a news conference today, state Reps. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, and Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery, and Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to make it a felony offense for a teacher, coach or youth organization instructor to engage in sexual relations with any child under the age of 18.
Current state law protects children under the age of 16 by criminalizing sexual contact with them by a school employee. Unfortunately, a loophole exists in law that doesn’t provide the same criminal penalties for those teachers, coaches or instructors who prey on 16- and 17-year-old children.
"It’s plain and simple – those we entrust to educate and watch over our children should not engage in any sexual activity with them at any age," said Shapiro, a father of three. "This legislation affords the same protections to all of our children in schools and extracurricular activities. This commonsense bipartisan legislation will protect our children."
"I’m proud to work with Representative Shapiro and District Attorney Ferman on this legislation that will further enhance the penalties for those individuals in a position of authority who prey upon our children," Vereb said. "Unfortunately, there are adults out there who violate their positions of trust. This legislation removes a loophole in the current law to extend the same legal protection to all school-aged children."
"We send our children to school to gain an education. There is no place in the educational system for sexual relationships of any kind between teachers and students. It violates the most fundamental trust we place in our schools and teachers," Ferman said. "School children and their families deserve strong protection against those educators who prey upon vulnerable teenagers. This bill will serve to hold teachers and others who cross this clear line accountable for their actions."
This new offense, upon a conviction, would be a felony of the third degree, the same penalty provided for institutional sexual assault.
Shapiro represents the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/Shapiro.
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CONTACT: Laura Hanes
Office of Rep. Josh Shapiro
Phone: 215-517-6800
Fax: 215-517-6828
Email: lhanes@pahouse.net