Doug Jenkins – Advantage News
Legislation brought forth by Illinois Republicans at the Capitol to protect students who have been victims of sexual assault at school has passed out of a House committee. The bill was crafted after a Springfield-area family had to deal with their daughter being sexually assaulted and the attacker was not expelled or suspended, despite admitting to the offense.
HB 5447 would require any student that commits or attempts a sexual assault at a school, school-sponsored event or any activity with a reasonable relationship to the school, be expelled for at least one year. State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer is sponsoring the bill in the House.
The proposed bill would create consequences for sexual assault similar to those involving weapons. Having been approved in the Illinois House Education Policy Committee, the bill now moves on to the full House for consideration.