House Bill Would Close School-Sex Loophole

GRAYSON, GA — A bill being proposed by a Gwinnett County lawmaker in the state House would close a loophole regarding school employees having sex with students.

House Bill 32, introduced by Rep Joyce Chandler, R-Grayson, would state that it's illegal for any employee or "agent" of a school to have sexual relations with a student at that school.

Current law only specifies that's true for a "teacher, principal, assistant principal or other administrator."

In November, the Georgia Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a wrestling coach in Cherokee County. Robert Leslie Morrow had been convicted of having sex with a student in 2010 under the current law.

But, in a unanimous decision, the high court ruled that the current law doesn't apply to him because he was a paraprofessional.

Chandler's bill also specifies that it does not apply to other students at the school.

Image via Shutterstock