Scott Sanford

Texas legislator

Scott Sanford

Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 70th district
In office January 8, 2013 – January 10, 2023
Preceded by	Ken Paxton
Succeeded by	Mihaela Plesa

Personal details
Born	(1963-10-03) October 3, 1963 (age 60)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Shelly Parks
Children	2
Alma mater	Baylor University (BBA, MTax)
Occupation	Accountant, pastor
Website	http://scottsanford.us/

William Scott Sanford (born October 3, 1957)^[1] is an American minister and politician. He has represented the 70th District in the Texas House of Representatives from 2013 to 2023.^[2] A member of the Republican Party, Sanford also serves as the executive pastor for stewardship and operations of the Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Tenure

Sanford sponsored and introduced a House bill that would protect churches from litigation arising from their reporting of sexual abuse by those who would otherwise possibly be employed by churches and similar organizations. Sanford, who also serves as the executive pastor at the multi-campus Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, recently filed a bill to give immunity from civil liability to churches or other non-profits that in good faith report allegations of prior sexual abuse to an individual's current or prospective employer. "Sexual abuse thrives in secrecy," Sanford said. His bill established protections for reporting, to enable victims to come forward and facilitate the ability of charitable organizations to end the silence that has enhanced the ability of predators to move between such organizations. In February 2019, the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News documented 380 Southern Baptist church leaders and volunteers accused of sexual misconduct in the prior two decades and more than 700 victims of such abuse."^[5] The bill was signed into law.

References

^ "Scott Sanford's Biography". votesmart.org. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
^ "2012 General Election Results". McKinney Online. November 7, 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
^ Henvey, Audrey (November 14, 2020). "Sanford looks ahead to legislative session". McKinney Courier-Gazette. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
^ Ritter, Cassidy (January 17, 2018). "Q&A: Scott Sanford running for re-election for District 70 state representative seat". Community Impact. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
^ ^a ^b Proposed Texas bill would shield churches that report sexual abuse from lawsuits, Baptist News. Bob Allen, April 2, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2021.