Senate prohibits child sex contact
January 31, 2012 ·
The State Senate unanimously passed a bill Monday called the Penn State law. The measure is designed to avoid a repetition of the child sex abuse scandal in that neighboring state.
The vote was 34-0 to make it clear anyone who has contact
with a child, including coaches and counselors, must report any incident of
abuse promptly. Judiciary chair Sen.
Corey Palumbo says there was strong sentiment to make the law clearer.
“It expands the group
of people who are required to report abuse and neglect of children. It also makes everyone a mandatory reporter
for sexual abuse of kids. If you observe it or have actual knowledge it’s
occurred. So there will be no more confusion about who’s required to do
what. This makes it clear that if you
witness sexual abuse of a kid or you have actual knowledge you’re required to
report it to law enforcement,” Palumbo said.
As the Senate gathered, it became known that two more Lincoln
County officials had pleaded guilty
to election law violations. Sen. Art
Kirkendoll, who represents the district, says the citizens just won’t stand for
corruption any more.
“When an issue becomes an issues no matter where its at
that’s the focus. If you look around the rest of the country they have problems
other places. Just in the past I think southern West Virginia was a focus
area but I do think it’s getting to
where people want to do it right, do it better. Hopefully, this will bring
closure to a lot of things for the future,” said Kirkendoll
The Senate recognized the Leadership
Berkeley County
group visiting the capitol and saluted Wyoming
County volunteer firemen who saved
a woman from a burning house. Then Sen.
Mike Green honored the victims of the Ghent
explosion 5 years ago today which killed 4 people and badly injured 5 others in
a propane explosion south of Beckley.
The Senate also passed legislation making it illegal and
stiffening the penalties for having any sexual contact with an inmate or
resident of any state facility. Previously, the law prohibited only actual sex
acts.
The4 Senate also unanimously approved changes to the state
income tax and corporate net tax laws to conform with federal law changes this
year. All those bills were sent on to
the House.