Abbott proposes 10-year prison minimum for improper teacher-student relationships

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a proposal with tougher penalties for educators and school employees convicted of improper relationships between educators and students.

“This new law builds on previous and vital actions that crack down on inappropriate teacher-student relationships,” said Gov. Abbott. “We must protect our students and lock up predators. Together, we will keep Texas classrooms a safe space for children to learn, grow, and succeed.”

Under the governor's proposal, people convicted of an improper relationship between an educator an student would have to register as a sex offender and serve a minimum of 10 years in prison, Abbott said.

He said offenders wouldn't be eligible for community supervision, deferred adjudication, parole, or mandatory supervision. 

"By imposing serious consequences on predators who exploit positions of trust, Texas will better protect students and keep dangerous offenders out of our schools," Gov. Abbott's press release said.

Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows said the Texas House will partner with the governor during the next session to turn the initiatives into action.

“To the survivors: we hear you, we see you, and what happened to you should never have happened. We must do better," Burrows said.

The governor proposed the measures at a roundtable with law enforcement and superintendents in Lubbock.

Gov. Abbott is running for reelection in November. He faces Democratic nominee Gina Hinojosa.