Ind. Senate backs broadening child seduction law

Associated Press

Updated: Jan 24, 2013 7:36 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A proposal adding mental health counselors to the list of those who could face felony child seduction charges has been approved by the Indiana Senate.

Senators voted 47-0 on Thursday in favor of the bill, which would prohibit counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists from having sexual relationships with current or former patients who are 16 or 17 years old. Current law covers only school employees and military recruiters who have such relationships with minors older than Indiana's 16 age of consent.

Vigo County prosecutor Terry Modesitt told a Senate committee this month that he was frustrated when he couldn't file felony charges against a therapist who had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old patient.

The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

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