BILL WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO REPORT SEX ABUSE

PFMLIT General, LEGISLATION, SEX CRIMES COMMITTED IN SCHOOL, SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS IN POSITIONS OF TRUST, STATE BY STATE NEW YORK, TEACHERS SCHOOL STAFF

AP

A woman who was sexually abused by a high school official more than two decades ago, wants thestate to pass legislation that might prevent similar abuse from happening to other students. Shetestified at a state Senate hearing to show her support for a bill to establish procedures forreporting and investigating child abuse at schools. The bill would eliminate so-called quietresignations which allow those involved in child abuse allegations to step down and seekemployment in other districts. The new law would require school officials to report abuseallegations to outside law enforcers. Currently, only New York City school officials are requiredto report misconduct to the special commissioner. Also, fingerprint-based criminal history checkswould be conducted on all current and future public school employees.

(Albany, New York)