Mo. bill would make some teachers' Web sites off-limits to students

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A House committee is proposing to ban teachers from allowing students to see their private Web pages.

The effort is part of a broader bill designed to close cracks in the reporting of teacher sex abuse and the discipline for those who are caught.

The proposal would include sites such as Facebook and MySpace. But it would affect only teachers who require a password or permission for others to view their profiles. Teachers whose sites don't have restrictions could continue allowing students to view the Web sites.

Teachers union lobbyist Otto Fajen says educators already are advised to limit photos and content on personal Web sites to items that would be OK for everyone in the school district to see.