[Appalachian Cat]

Senate Bill 181 has stirred up the sports world in Kentucky.  I see the reason for the bill but I believe that it needed some more thought and development before rolling it out on the sports side of the bill.  Thoughts?

[Granny Bear]

I agree!! I have lots of teachers in my family and several friends who are teachers.

But this time, I think the law makers threw the baby out with the bath water.

[OhHereWeGo]

I agree!!  I have lots of teachers in my family and several friends who are teachers. 

But this time, I think the law makers threw the baby out with the bath water.

This time?

I figured that throwing the baby out with the bathwater was the norm in politics.

[Granny Bear]

I try very hard to not use the "P" word. It sorta makes me nauseous.

[Appalachian Cat]

I know several cases where a young adult (high school age) needs that coach in their lives as a mentor and a voice of reason. SB 181 takes this all away from them. What about these kids? These politicians need to think before making a knee jerk reaction to a situation. Sometimes their attempt to be first comes back to haunt them around election time. This bill was poorly written with no thought of the kids that it will impact. I understand the reason it was put in place at some schools that could not control these sick people that are preying on kids. I hope there is a more sensible revision drafted and released soon on the sports side of the bill.

[Granny Bear]

I know of many MANY cases such as you describe. Some are extreme circumstances. A few of these cases, without the intervention of teacher/coach, could've ended tragically. I realize that there are sexual predators, and some adults that do a lot of harm but to blanket all of the school staff in this legislation will eventually do more harm than good. I know these kids need protection but so many times, this protection comes from the teachers/coaches in their lives. I don't have THE answer. It might be a good deterrent to make sexual predation a capitol offense.

[Appalachian Cat]

I know of many MANY cases such as you describe.  Some are extreme circumstances.  A few of these cases, without the intervention of teacher/coach, could've ended tragically.  I realize that there are sexual predators, and some adults that do a lot of harm but to blanket all of the school staff in this legislation will eventually do more harm than good.  I know these kids need protection but so many times, this protection comes from the teachers/coaches in their lives.  I don't have THE answer.  It might be a good deterrent to make sexual predation a capitol offense.

Very well said and I agree 100%.

[Bigbluewarehouse]

And then you have assistant coaches at owsley who have helped to make bills like this needed! They are coming up with apps that can be monitored by staff an parents for coaches an teachers to use to communicate with students an parents but steps do need to be taken to better protect students an athletes from some who should be there to be their safe place an mentors!