DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. – A proposed bill named after admitted child sex offender Lindsey Whiteside could mean more accountability for Mississippi school board members.

The bill, introduced Monday, is called the “Whiteside Accountability Act.”

Parents and school board members have called for DeSoto County school board member Michele Henley to resign after she took the stand on behalf of Whiteside to ask for leniency in Whiteside’s sentencing.

That sentence on state charges was granted, and Whiteside left the courthouse under house arrest and supervised release, even though she admitted to sex crimes with a minor.

The public outcry about former board chair Michele Henley was almost immediate: there were protests and calls for her removal from the DeSoto County Board of Education, but the public was informed that there was no mechanism to do so, and Henley refused to step down.

RELATED: DeSoto County school board member defies calls for resignation

However, the board did replace her as its chairperson.

DeSoto County residents shared their thoughts on the newly-proposed legislation with FOX13.

“There’s a lot of laws on the books that need to be changed down here; that is one of them,” said Rodney Merriweather of Hernando.

“I hope it makes it through,” said Clara Fleming of Southaven. “And I hope that they take it seriously and they don’t just sweep it under the rug.”

19th District Republican state Senator Kevin Blackwell introduced Senate Bill 2068, which is also supported by state Senator Michael McClendon. Both senators are from DeSoto County. Here’s how it would work:

If the bill passes, it would allow school boards to recommend removing a member for misconduct, including neglecting duties, breaching public trust, or abusing authority. The local government would review the case, notify the member, and hold a hearing. The member would have 30 days to respond. If enough evidence is found, a hearing would be held within 15 days. A majority vote would decide if the member is removed.

The Whiteside Accountability Act is currently in the state Senate chamber in Jackson, and has quite a way to go before becoming Mississippi state law. FOX13 will continue to follow developments with this legislation.