COBB COUNTY - Rep. Doug Collins, a Gainesville Republican, plans to pre-file a bill today that would clearly make it illegal for teachers to have sex with students enrolled in high school. It's an issue that has focused a spotlight on Cobb County in recent weeks.

As it is currently written, state law allows consent to be a defense for teachers involved with students 16 or older. Last week, Cobb Superior Court Judge Robert Flournoy III issued a directive verdict acquitting Christopher King on a felony charge of sexual assault. King had a sexual relationship last spring with a 17-year-old student at Marietta High School, where he taught English and journalism. The teenager testified at trial that the sex was consensual.

Despite that verdict, Cobb District Attorney Pat Head is continuing to prosecute Steven Martin Parkman in a similar case.

Parkman, who was the orchestra director at Harrison High School before his arrest in April 2008, was indicted more than a year ago on a charge of sexual assault of a person in custody. The felony charge carries a prison term of 10 to 30 years.

A grand jury is now considering whether to indict Parkman on additional charges.

Parents of the teenager, who is now in college, have accused Parkman of intimidating their daughter into continuing the relationship.

Collins said the language of his bill is simple, and he does not foresee any problems in getting it passed quickly by both the House and the Senate, and signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

"I think I have pretty well complete support. It regards teachers in elementary or secondary education, and removes consent as a defense to sexual assault," Collins said. If Perdue signs the bill, it would take effect immediately, Collins said.

State Sen. Ronald B. Ramsey, Sr., a Democrat from Lithonia, has filed a similar bill in the Senate. Senate Bill 300 would eliminate the right of a student to give consent to have sexual contact with an educator, employee, agent or volunteer while enrolled in a Georgia public or private school.

The bill "also adds a new provision for sexual enticement of a student by predators in schools that solicit or entice students to have sexual contact," according to Ramsey. A first offense would be a misdemeanor.