Lobbyist's crusade to change Title IX in Missouri stems from his son's expulsion

JEFFERSON CITY -- After his son was accused and subsequently expelled from Washington University in St. Louis last year through the school’s Title IX process, a leading Jefferson City lobbyist launched a campaign to change the law for every campus in the state.

Richard McIntosh has argued to legislators that Title IX, the federal law barring sexual discrimination in education and mandating that schools set up internal systems to police sexual violence, is tilted unfairly against the accused. His proposals — made first as a failed amendment to an unrelated bill near the end of the 2018 session and then this year as a full-fledged bill — create more protections for those accused of Title IX violations.

Rep. Peggy McGaugh, R-Carrollton, was a supporter of McIntosh’s amendment last session. She said Tuesday that she didn’t know about his son’s expulsion initially, but she said McIntosh later told her about it and she even met with his son.

McGaugh said she had a son graduate from the University of Missouri, and she feels she has a “commonality” with McIntosh for that reason even though “my son’s never been in trouble like that.” She said she feels due process is important for both complainants and the accused.

Read more: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article228733614.html