Mo. House approves bill cracking down on teacher sex abuse

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Missouri House has given preliminary approval to legislation cracking down on teachers accused of sexually abusing students.

The measure restricts teacher Web sites and requires school districts to establish policies for telling other districts about former employees. The state would keep records of sex abuse allegations against teachers -- even unproven ones.

The bill is sponsored by Republican House member Jane Cunningham, of Chesterfield. She says the state has an "epidemic" of school district employees abusing students.

Critics say keeping records of unproven allegations would punish innocent teachers.