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House To Vote On Bill That Requires Reporting Of Athlete Sexual Abuse

The bill would require sexual abuse allegations made by minors or amateur athletes to be immediately reported to the police.
Posted at 11:48 AM, Jan 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-29 11:48:09-05

The House will reportedly vote Monday on a bill that would require sexual abuse allegations made by minor or amateur athletes to be immediately reported to the police.

The Senate unanimously passed the bill back in November. Under the proposed legislation, lawmakers say people who don't report suspected child abuse to police within 24 hours would be held accountable by the law. 

The bill also authorizes the U.S. Center for Safe Sport to ensure that reports of abuse are investigated and that any adult accused of abuse is not allowed to interact with children. 

The House's vote comes less than a week after a judge sentenced former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison on multiple criminal sexual abuse charges.

Since then, a congressional committee started an investigation into sexual abuse in organized sports, including USA swimming, gymnastics and taekwondo. 

It's likely the House will back this new legislation. It overwhelmingly passed a similar measure last year 415-3.