A new state law taking effect Wednesday will create harsher penalties for teachers charged with sexual misconduct with a minor.

The law is called the Stop Harassing Underage Teens Act, and the move comes after the state has seen its share of bad teachers in recent years.

In the past 12 months, 30 teachers have been accused of being involved in inappropriate sexual relationships with students, according to state Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Republican whose district includes parts of Polk County.

Sen. Stargel, who co-sponsored the bill, said the goal is to punish teachers who take of advantage of students and treat them differently in the eyes of the law.

"The purpose of this bill was to send a strong signal, that it's going to be an enhanced penalty," Stargel said. "You're going to have a higher crime if you establish a relationship with a child and then abuse that relationship." 

Under the new law, a third-degree felony for sexual misconduct with a minor will be eliminated. Any felony-like tag will now start at second degree. Those that are currently second-degree will go to first, and those former first-degree felons could face the possibility of a life sentence.

"I feel like there needs to be an enhanced penalty," Stargel said. "These are teachers who have an ability of an authority over these, kids potentially, and have established a relationship. And I think there's possibly more opportunity for abuse."

The bill has been years in the making.

Sen. Stargel said a group of Hillsborough County high school students requested stricter penalties for teachers after the Debra Lafave case. That case garnered national attention after Lafave pleaded guilty in 2005 to lewd or lascivious battery after a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old student. She was then a 24-year-old middle school teacher.

A bill bounced around in the State Legislature for several years and finally passed this year.

The law only applies to students under the age of 18. It includes teachers at all schools, including private and virtual schools.