Maryland Bill Would Tighten Law On School District Employee Sex With Students

A Maryland legislative committee heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that would close a loophole that allows some school employees to have sex with some students without being charged with a crime.

It's a crime for full-time permanent teachers and school employees to have sex with students on or off school property. However, part-time and contractual employees -- including substitute teachers, coaches, bus drivers, janitors and cafeteria workers -- are not subject to the same law. It is not illegal for them to have sex with a student that is older than 16 -- Maryland's age of consent -- as long as it's not on school property.

The legislation stems partly from a case last year in which Montgomery County teacher and part-time track coach Scott Spear allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old girl he was coaching.
More