Delvin steps forward to protect all secondary school students from predatory teachers

January 28, 2009

OLYMPIA…Richland Sen. Jerome Delvin went to bat today for Washington school-children, insisting that the state’s teacher sexual-misconduct law must be changed to cover all secondary school students, including those who have reached the 21-year-old age limit for students in Washington public schools.  

Delvin introduced Senate Bill 5232 to clarify state law protecting minors, which the state Supreme Court has ruled is “too vague” and may not cover students older than 17. A similar bill originating in the House of Representatives limits the coverage to age 20.  

“It makes no sense to write a law that leaves any student unprotected,” Delvin said. “My bill protects all students from predatory teachers – regardless of age – and that’s what their parents expect us to do. Senate Bill 5232 states clearly that first-degree sexual misconduct means any student, age 16 to 21. Either we protect our kids or we don’t.”  

Last August a Benton County Superior Court judge dismissed a charge of first-degree sexual misconduct with a minor against former Richland High School teacher Allan Eve, ruling that the definition of “minor” is too vague and may not include students over age 17. Eve was accused of having sex with an 18-year-old female student. 

The citizens of Washington expect us to protect their kids,” Delvin said. “Half-measures won’t do. I’ll be embarrassed if any lawmaker suggests we should fail to cover some of our students because enforcement costs money. We should stand for more than that.” 

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Sen. Delvin represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes
Richland, Kennewick, Benton City, and Prosser.

Additional contact: Pat Albright at (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov