Rex renews push for stronger penalties for teacher sex abuse

The chief of South Carolina’s public schools is renewing his call for legislation that would strengthen penalties against school employees who sexually abuse students.
   
Jim Rex said Monday such cases represent a tiny fraction of the state’s teachers, but even one example is an outrage.
   
Rex has advocated measures to prevent and punish cases of students abused by adults since last fall, following a nationwide Associated Press investigation.
   
Legislation proposed earlier this year failed as the session ended without House and Senate members agreeing between their different versions. A bill must be reintroduced when the
Legislature returns in January.
   
Rex said the Legislature should make it a top priority for 2009.