Some representatives in Lansing hope to classify sex between school employees and students, even if the student is 18 or older, as a criminal act.
The Michigan Senate passed SB 135 would make sex between school employees and students a felony - "criminal sexual conduct in the third degree." It would be "punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years."
Sex with a minor is already illegal, but this bill would prohibit sex between school employees and students ages 18 and up to 21 years old, and up to 26 years old if the student is receiving special education services.
More from the Associated Press:
The bill's sponsor Republican Sen. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge says the bill is intended to "to safeguard students." He says there have been alleged instances in Michigan of teachers having sexual relations with students after they reached the age of 18. The bill will now be sent to the House for consideration.
A similar bill was passed last year, but it stalled after passing the Senate. That bill had no age cap.
