NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - House Approves Measure To Crack Down On Sexual Abuse

House Approves Measure To Crack Down On Sexual Abuse

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Teachers and others in positions of authority could be held more accountable for child sexual abuse in the future.

The House on Thursday approved legislation that would allow people in positions of authority over children to face felony charges for having sexual contact of any nature with anyone under 18 years old.

The bill would increase the statute of limitations on criminal charges to five years after an abuse victim's 18th birthday.

It also ups the penalty for not reporting abuse to authorities. The measure has support from Catholic bishops in Kentucky and the Kentucky Education Association. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

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