Source: tylerpaper.com 12/22/24
An East Texas state representative is working toward holding educators more accountable.
Recently, there’s been multiple cases of teachers accused of having improper relationships with students in East Texas. House Bill 1401 aims to protect students and have stricter regulations on these incidents.
After a teacher at a local high school was sentenced to several years in prison for having an improper relationship with a student and not having to register as a sex offender, Palestine Police Chief Mark Harcrow knew something had to be done.
“It bothered me that that was not a requirement,” Harcrow said.
This issue spans across several Texas counties. HB 1401, introduced by state Rep. Cody Harris, would require any educator convicted of such offenses to register as a sex offender. A sex offender is a person who commits a crime involving a sexual act.
The article does not clarify if this is a situation of adult teachers having sexual contact with minor students or having sexual contact with students who are 18+ years old. In the first instance, I would think they already must register if convicted. The second situation has come up in other places. While it might be unseemly, it is not illegal and no registration should be required. Certainly, the school district could fire the individual and there might be questions about teacher certification, but no legal charges, convictions and certainly not registration. Similar to adult students and college professors becoming romantically involved. I get it, in East Texas they find it icky.
Sooner or later, probably sooner, people in all sorts of positions are going to get caught in this web of madness and find themselves on a registry of which there is no escape and the only solution will be to eradicate the entire thing. You can only sweep under the rug so many officials that are caught before the rug isn’t large enough to cover them all anymore and an angry public is going to demand justice and answers.
“This issue spans across several Texas counties. HB 1401, introduced by state Rep. Cody Harris, would require any educator convicted of such offenses to register as a [derogatory label]. A [derogatory label] is a person who commits a crime involving a sexual act”
If we go by that definition, then a [derogatory label] would not include those that commit cyber crimes, because no “sexual act” is involved by someone downloading cp onto their computer. Now some might twist it and say one is seeking “sexual gratification” thru obtaining that material. But is that always the case, and can it be proven? People can get sexual gratification out of photos of clothed children. Or an image of a wet banana. Are those consider sexual acts? Where does it stop?
And exactly how does registration promote accountability if it’s not punitive?
/sarc