DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Legislature has sent a bill to Gov. Terry Branstad that adds coaches to a state law prohibiting sexual relationships between students and teachers, administrators, and other licensed professionals.
The bill, which passed the House Wednesday and the Senate Thursday, fixes a problem arising from an April 11 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that found school coaches cannot be convicted of sexual exploitation of a school employee because they are not considered school employees under definition of Iowa law.
Branstad called on the Legislature to take quick action.
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The court ruling overturned the conviction of a former Bloomfield basketball coach who had sex with a 16-year-old girl on his team.
Democratic Sen. Rob Hogg says the bill should send a strong message that coaches can’t have sex with students.
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