Assemblymember Olsen and Modesto Mother Announce Legislation to Deter Inappropriate Teacher-Student Relationships

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, and Tammie Powers, mother of the Modesto student who was taken advantage of by her high school teacher, announced legislation that will make it a felony for a teacher to have an inappropriate relationship with a student at the same school, regardless of the student’s age. Additionally, teachers convicted of a work-related felony would lose their pensions.

"It is an outrage that a high school teacher would engage in a romantic relationship with a student,” said Olsen. “We need to do everything we can to deter this behavior, and to ensure schools are a safe and secure learning environment for our children.”

As evidenced by recent cases at Enochs High School in Modesto and at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles, there is a growing problem where teachers, administrators, or other school employees, have been engaging in sexual acts, relations or inappropriate communications with their students.

Assembly Bill 1861 follows the lead of 23 other states by making it a felony for a teacher to have an inappropriate relationship with a student even if the student is 18 years old. Currently in California, a teacher could only be charged with a felony for engaging in a relationship with a student who is under 18 years old. AB 1861 bill applies to elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

Additionally, under current law, teachers convicted of a felony are still able to collect their public pension and benefits. AB 1861 would prohibit teachers convicted of a work-related felony from receiving these financial benefits.

“As parents, we put our trust in our schools, and our teachers, to keep our children safe and provide them with a good education,” said Powers. “I hope this law will be a deterrent to any teacher who would abuse their authority, morally and ethically, so that no one else’s child is taken advantage of the way mine was.”