PA Lawmakers Work In D.C. Against Sexual Predators In Schools

Legislation inspired by U.S. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA 8) has been passed that includes amendments which prevent sexual predators from being hired by school districts.

The Montgomery County-based lawmaker was one of 218 Republicans that passed the Student Success Act by a slim margin, 218-213.

The language of some of the bill comes from Fitzpatrick’s Jeremy Bell Act, which was initially passed on two different occasions during the last Congressional session.

The measure blocks state or local educational agencies from receiving funds if they facilitate the transfer of an employee they know, or have probable cause to believe, has engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor – a practice known as “passing the trash.”

“Every student deserves the right to be safe in their learning environment,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “Sadly, for too many children, that right is denied at the hands of sexual predators inside our education system.”

The language designed to fight sexual predators is, however, only a small part of the overall Act, which is the reason that it only passed by five votes.

The Act also reduces federal involvement in education by granting state and local governments more control.

Pa. lawmakers and officials were more focused on the amendments, however.

“We have been glad to be able to work with the Congressman on this very important legislation - we’ll be very glad to see this loophole closed,” said Julie Dugery, Coordinator of Volunteers and Community Outreach for Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA) of Bucks County. “Here in Bucks County we’re talking about 13 school districts and more than 90,000 children who are going to be protected.”

“One student abused in a place of learning is too tragic to ignore,” Fitzpatrick added.

Other Pennsylvania legislators also had connections to the Act. 

Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) is working on passing accompanying language in the house.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA 6) also had a connection to the Student Success Act. The Bonamici-Costello Amendment, included in the Act, was his first amendment to ever pass the House.