CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The House of Delegates passed a bill Wednesday that could impact the criminal case against former Capital High School Principal Clinton Giles.
Supporters of the bill (HB2939) said it closes a loophole when it comes to reporting crimes of sexual assault and sexual abuse involving children.
“There’s an unattended loophole in the (current) law,” Delegate Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) explained to fellow House members. “It only requires teachers or school personnel to report sexual abuse by a parent but not by another student.”
Giles was charged last month for allegedly failing to report in a timely manner an alleged sexual assault at his school. A 17-year-old student allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl under a stairwell. Prosecutors said Giles didn’t report the incident until the next day.
Giles retired the same day he was charged.
Kanawha County Prosecutor Chuck Miller announced last week he was reconsidering the charges against Giles after the bill highlighted the loophole. Miller said Monday the case was going forward but could change. Giles’ attorney has filed a motion asking Kanawha County Circuit Judge Carrie Webster to dismiss the charges against his client.
The bill, which passed Wednesday, also says teachers and other school personnel must immediately report suspected sexual assault or abuse between students or between teacher and students.
Delegate Brad White (R-Kanawha), who introduced the bill after the Capital High School incident, said the measure will protect children.
“The greatest resource we have is our children and our kids and my greatest role, bar none, is being a father. There’s no greater role bestowed upon me,” White said.
The bill passed 89-9 and was sent to the Senate.