LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Presbyterian Church (USA) ministers accused of sexual misconduct with minors would be automatically placed on leave while the charges are investigated under a proposal up for vote by regional governing bodies during the upcoming year.

The Courier-Journal reported that a majority of the Louisville-based denomination's 173 regional presbyteries must approve the measure before it becomes part of the church constitution. The measure was endorsed by the General Assembly in May.

The church's main legislative body adopted a nonbonding resolution last year stating the only appropriate punishment for abuse of children is removal from ministry, the newspaper reported. The General Assembly also urged church officers to report abuse to civil authorities and not to enter into any secret agreements that prevent the public from knowing about such abuse.

Presbyterians currently do not have an automatic penalty for misconduct. Under its constitution, each presbytery decides on punishment in disciplinary cases, ranging from public rebuke to ouster from the ministry.

The denomination has about 15,000 ministers serving 2.5 million members.

The proposal focuses on how to handle a minister facing a pending investigation, not on the final penalty of known abusers, according to the news report.

Some church officials question whether the proposal will deny ministers' rights to due process in the event allegations prove false.

The Advisory Committee on the Constitution is recommending the proposal be voted down, saying it fails to balance the rights of the accused with the rights of alleged victims.

"False accusations of sexual abuse, particularly if given the appearance of being validated by a governing body by placement of the accused on a leave of absence, can irreparably damage the reputation of the accused," the committee noted in a report to the assembly.

The committee suggested requiring a presbytery designate two members of its judicial commission to decide whether to recommend a leave of absence after an investigation into the merit of accusations.

The committee did vote to endorse a recommendation saying that placing a minister on leave is a precautionary move, not a disciplinary one, the newspaper reported.