(FREE PRESS) — LANSING — The Michigan Senate voted Thursday for tougher restrictions on sex between high school employees and students, approving a bill that would make it illegal if students were younger than 21.
While the age of consent in Michigan is 16 in most cases, it is a crime under current law for school employees to have sex with students under the age of 18 because the employee is considered to be in a position of power.
The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
Because some students turn 18 before they graduate from high school, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said there have been multiple allegations of teachers having sexual relations with students once they reach that age.