House panel approves measure to toughen child sexual abuse lawsFRANKFORT, Ky. --A measure that would hold teachers, priests and others in positions of authority more accountable for child sexual abuse has cleared its first legislative hurdle.
The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation on Wednesday, sending it to the full House for consideration.
Louisville Democratic state Rep. Jim Wayne said the measure is crucial if Kentucky children are to be protected from sexual abuse.
"This problem is of epidemic proportions in our society," Wayne said. "What we're trying to do is say, this is not just clergy; this is not just camp counselors; this is not just teachers. We're talking about relatives, we're talking about parents who abuse their children sexually, aunts, uncles, siblings."
People in positions of authority over children could be charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, for having sexual contact of any nature with anyone under 18 years old.
Under current law in Kentucky, teachers break no criminal laws by having sex with students, as long as the students are at least 16 years old and willing participants. That would change under Wayne's proposal.
Among other provisions, the bill also would increase the statute of limitations to five years after an abuse victim's 18th birthday, and ups the penalty for not reporting abuse to authorities...
This from H-L.
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