A high school student turns 18, and he thinks it's "cool" for his 25-year-old substitute teacher to be hitting on him. A relationship ensues, he brags about it, and his parents are appalled—but did the substitute commit a crime? The Virginia State Crime Commission is drafting legislation to address that—and one member says there's a lot to consider on a delicate issue.
Some argue that a lot of state laws label a person as a sex offender upon conviction. But one scenario could involve when two high school students are acquainted---with two years separating them. The older graduates but returns as a substitute, and rekindles the relationship with the younger. Should that be illegal? Delegate Rob Bell explains that even if the high-schooler is 18, the elder is in such a position that their consent may not qualify.
Bell says most parents would object to that kind of relationship, so the commission is working on crafting a criminal statute that is fair, makes sense, and protects the student’s best interests. Right now, such a relationship is illegal in Virginia when students are less than age 18. But at least 11 states have made it illegal for school personnel to have consensual relations with 18-year-old students.