SOL Reform: Resources

This page is the second draft of what will be a definitive collection of bills, articles, and commentary on the effort to reform statutes of limitations. Please email us with additions and suggestions.

Bills | Recommendations in Reports | Important Cases | Commentary | California | Ohio | Colorado | Pennsylvania | Delaware | New York | Collected Resources in Chronological Order |

Bills

- State and Federal Sexual Abuse Statutes (from Justice Denied, by Marci A. Hamilton)
- California Senate Bill 1779 (Filed July 11, 2002)
- Ohio Senate Bill 17 (March 16, 2005)
- Delaware Senate Bill 29 (2007)
- Colorado House Bill 1011 (2008)

Recommendations in Reports

- Westchester Grand Jury Report (June 18, 2002) [includes recommendation that the criminal statute of limitations be eliminated]
- Recommendations in the Suffolk County Grand Jury Report (February 10, 2003) [includes recommendation that civil statute of limitations be extended and a window be created]
- Maine Attorney General's Report (February 24, 2004) [includes Appendix A: Analysis of Statute of Limitations]
- - Legal Analysis and Recommendations of the Philadelphia Grand Jury Report (September 15, 2005) [includes recommendation to "enlarge or eliminate statutes of limitation on civil suits"]

Important Cases

Bishop Dupre of Springfield MA
- Commonwealth vs. Thomas L. Dupre: Indictment: Rape of a Child (September 24, 2004)
- DA Won't Prosecute Bishop Accused of Rape, by Adam Gorlick, Associated Press (September 27, 2004)
- Grand Jury Indicts Dupre, by Bill Zajac, Springfield Republican (September 28, 2004 )
- Time Is Up for Statute, by Eileen McNamara , Boston Globe (September 29, 2004)
- N.H. Cannot Prosecute Mass. Bishop on Sex Charges, by Adam Gorlick, Associated Press (November 10, 2004)

Commentary

- The Case for Abolishing Child Abuse Statutes of Limitations, and for Victims' Forgoing Settlement in Favor of a Jury Trial, by Marci Hamilton, FindLaw (July 17, 2003)
- Don't Let Michigan Courts Bury Priest Sex Abuse Cases: State Must Change Statute of Limitations for Victims, by Justin C. Ravitz, Detroit News (January 5, 2006)
- Changing the Rules: Selective Justice for Catholic Institutions, by L. Martin Nussbaum, America (May 15, 2006)
- Suing the Church, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., First Things (May 2006)
- What the Clergy Abuse Crisis Has Taught Us, by Marci A. Hamilton, America (September 25, 2006)
- The Abuse-and-Coverup Scandal: The Church Should Not Oppose Extending Statutes of Limitation, by Charles Molineaux, Society of Catholic Social Scientists Annual Meeting (October 27, 2007)
- Victims in Law: Statutes of Limitation Must End So Sexual Abuse Victims—Not Predators—Are Helped, by Marge Markey and Marci A. Hamilton, Albany Times Union (October 28, 2007)
- End Statute of Limitations for Abuse Victims, by Sister Maureen Paul Turlish, MetroWest Daily News (June 2, 2008)

California 2002

- California Senate Bill 1779 (Filed July 11, 2002)
- California Catholic dioceses prepare to deal with new state legislation on sexual abuse, by Roberta Ward, Valley Catholic, the San Jose diocesan newspaper (November 19, 2002)
- Email from Bishop Tod Brown to All Pastors, Attaching a Letter about Senate Bill 1779 to Be Read at All Masses (December 2, 2002)
- Letter from the California Catholic Conference to All Parishioners (To Be Read at All Masses on December 7-8, 2002)
- Statute of limitations to be lifted Jan. 1, by Arthur Jones, National Catholic Reporter (December 13, 2002)
- Bid to Shield Priest Data Faulted, by Michael Rezendes, Boston Globe (March 14, 2003)
- Calif. Church Abuse Suit Deadline Nears, by Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press (December 30, 2003)
- Law Spurred Flood of Sex Abuse Suits, by Jean Guccione and William Lobdell, LA Times (January 1, 2004)
- An Explanation of the Clergy Abuse Litigation in California, Associated Press (October 9, 2004)
- A 'Window' for Victims of Abuse: Historic Legislation from Sacramento Allowed Abuse Victims to Take Legal Action against the Los Angeles Archdiocese, by Marci A. Hamilton, Los Angeles Times (July 19, 2007)

Ohio 2005 and 2006

- Ohio Senate Bill 17 (March 16, 2005)
- Ohio Senate Votes to Aid Victims of Clergy Abuse: Statute of Limitations Would Be Lengthened, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade (March 17, 2005)
- The Long and Difficult Road to Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse: A Tale of Three States, and How They Revised Their Statutes, by Marci Hamilton, FindLaw (May 19, 2005)
- Sponsor of Priest-Abuse Bill Wants Church to Let It Pass, by Jim Siegel, Columbus Dispatch (November 10, 2005)
- Victims, Church Battle over Bill, by Bill Frogameni, National Catholic Reporter, (December 9, 2005)
- Dozens Speak in Support of Ohio's Priest-Abuse Bill, by Julie Carr Smyth, Plain Dealer, December 9, 2005
- Church Proposes Molestation Registry: Catholic Officials Oppose Lifting Time Limit on Sex-Abuse Lawsuits, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade (December 26, 2005)
- Testimony of Bishop Gumbleton to Ohio House of Representatives (January 11, 2006)
- Bishop Gumbleton Says Priest Abused Him When He Was a Teen, by Jerry Filteau, Catholic Explorer (January 12, 2006)
- Abusive Priests Get Legal Break: House Won't Allow Victims' Lawsuits to Go Back 35 Years, by Catherine Candisky and Jim Siegel, Columbus Dispatch (March 29, 2006)
- How the Ohio Legislature Betrayed Child Victims of Clergy Abuse, and How We Can Stop It from Happening Nationwide, by Marci Hamilton, FindLaw (April 6, 2006)
- Ohio's Victims of Clerical Sexual Abuse Left Frustrated by Senate Bill 17, by Todd Jarrett, Toledo City Paper (February 28, 2007)

Colorado 2006 and 2008

- Equality Under the Law? On Some Issues, It Depends: An Open Letter to the Faithful of Northern Colorado from Their Catholic Bishops, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya, and Bishop Michael J. Sheridan, Denver Catholic Register
February 1, 2006
- HB 1088, HB 1090, SB 143 bills are bad public policy, bad law, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Denver Catholic Register (February 8, 2006) [read at all Masses on Feb. 4 and 5]
- Emotional Day of Abuse-Bill Testimony: Measure Moves to Full Senate after Church Arguments Rejected, by Mark P. Couch, Denver Post (February 14, 2006)
- Suing the Church, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., First Things (May 2006)
- A Wider Window for Sex-Abuse Suits: Rep. Gwyn Green Is Trying Again. Her Proposal in 2006 Collapsed under Hot Debate, by John Ingold, Denver Post (February 6, 2008)
- Colorado House Bill 1011

Pennsylvania 2006

- D.A. Promotes Sex-Abuse Bill: Abraham Seeks " Window" on Statute of Limitations, by David O'Reilly, Philadelphia Inquirer (October 14, 2006)

Delaware 2007

- Abuse Victims Help Send Bill for Senate Vote, by Beth Miller, News Journal (March 22, 2007)
- Landmark Sexual Abuse Bill Heads to Governor's Office, by Beth Miller, News Journal (June 20, 2007)
- Delaware Senate Bill 29
- Delaware Gives Pedophilia Victims More Time to File Lawsuits, Associated Press (July 11, 2007)
- 1st Suit Filed under Del. Sex-Abuse Law, by David O'Reilly, Philadelphia Inquirer (July 13, 2007)

New York 2009

- Diocese of Buffalo Hardly Touched by Clergy Sexual Abuse Settlements, by Jay Tokasz, Buffalo News (July 22, 2007)
- Victims in Law: Statutes of Limitation Must End So Sexual Abuse Victims—Not Predators—Are Helped, by Marge Markey and Marci A. Hamilton, Albany Times Union (October 28, 2007)

Bills, Reports, Articles and Commentary

- Westchester Grand Jury Report (June 18, 2002) [includes recommendation that the criminal statute of limitations be eliminated]
- California Senate Bill 1779 (Filed July 11, 2002)
- Summary of California Senate Bill 1779
- California Catholic dioceses prepare to deal with new state legislation on sexual abuse, by Roberta Ward, Valley Catholic, the San Jose diocesan newspaper (November 19, 2002)
- Email from Bishop Tod Brown to All Pastors, Attaching a Letter about Senate Bill 1779 to Be Read at All Masses (December 2, 2002)
- Letter from the California Catholic Conference to All Parishioners (To Be Read at All Masses on December 7-8, 2002)
- Statute of limitations to be lifted Jan. 1, by Arthur Jones, National Catholic Reporter (December 13, 2002)

- Recommendations in the Suffolk County Grand Jury Report (February 10, 2003) [includes recommendation that civil statute of limitations be extended and a window be created]
- States Follow California's Lead on Priest Abuse, by Larry B. Stammer, LA Times (February 13, 2003)
- Bills on Child Sex Abuse Languish, by Rachel Zoll, Associated Press (March 4, 2003)
- Bid to Shield Priest Data Faulted, by Michael Rezendes, Boston Globe (March 14, 2003)
- The Case for Abolishing Child Abuse Statutes of Limitations, and for Victims' Forgoing Settlement in Favor of a Jury Trial, by Marci Hamilton, FindLaw (July 17, 2003)
- Calif. Church Abuse Suit Deadline Nears, by Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press (December 30, 2003)

- Law Spurred Flood of Sex Abuse Suits, by Jean Guccione and William Lobdell, LA Times (January 1, 2004)
- Maine Attorney General's Report (February 24, 2004) [includes Appendix A: Analysis of Statute of Limitations]
- Church Challenges Statute of Limitations Law: Case Filed in S.D. Sparks Countersuit, L.A. Filing, by Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune (July 25, 2004)
- Commonwealth vs. Thomas L. Dupre: Indictment: Rape of a Child (September 24, 2004)
- DA Won't Prosecute Bishop Accused of Rape, by Adam Gorlick, Associated Press (September 27, 2004)
- Grand Jury Indicts Dupre, by Bill Zajac, Springfield Republican (September 28, 2004 )
- Time Is Up for Statute, by Eileen McNamara , Boston Globe (September 29, 2004)
- An Explanation of the Clergy Abuse Litigation in California, Associated Press (October 9, 2004)
- N.H. Cannot Prosecute Mass. Bishop on Sex Charges, by Adam Gorlick, Associated Press (November 10, 2004)

- Ohio Senate Bill 17 (March 16, 2005)
- Ohio Senate Votes to Aid Victims of Clergy Abuse: Statute of Limitations Would Be Lengthened, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade (March 17, 2005)
- The Long and Difficult Road to Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse: A Tale of Three States, and How They Revised Their Statutes, by Marci Hamilton, FindLaw (May 19, 2005)
- Legal Analysis and Recommendations of the Philadelphia Grand Jury Report (September 15, 2005) [includes recommendation to "enlarge or eliminate statutes of limitation on civil suits"]
- The Philadelphia Grand Jury's Report on Clergy Child Sex Abuse in the City's Archdiocese: a Lesson for All States, by Marci Hamilton, Find Law (September 22, 2005)
- Sponsor of Priest-Abuse Bill Wants Church to Let It Pass, by Jim Siegel, Columbus Dispatch (November 10, 2005)
- Victims, Church Battle over Bill, by Bill Frogameni, National Catholic Reporter, (December 9, 2005)
- Dozens Speak in Support of Ohio's Priest-Abuse Bill, by Julie Carr Smyth, Plain Dealer, December 9, 2005
- Church Proposes Molestation Registry: Catholic Officials Oppose Lifting Time Limit on Sex-Abuse Lawsuits, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade (December 26, 2005)

- Don't Let Michigan Courts Bury Priest Sex Abuse Cases: State Must Change Statute of Limitations for Victims, by Justin C. Ravitz, Detroit News (January 5, 2006)
- Testimony of Bishop Gumbleton to Ohio House of Representatives (January 11, 2006)
- Bishop Gumbleton Says Priest Abused Him When He Was a Teen, by Jerry Filteau, Catholic Explorer (January 12, 2006)
- Equality Under the Law? On Some Issues, It Depends: An Open Letter to the Faithful of Northern Colorado from Their Catholic Bishops, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Bishop Arthur N. Tafoya, and Bishop Michael J. Sheridan, Denver Catholic Register
February 1, 2006
- HB 1088, HB 1090, SB 143 bills are bad public policy, bad law, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Denver Catholic Register (February 8, 2006) [read at all Masses on Feb. 4 and 5]
- Emotional Day of Abuse-Bill Testimony: Measure Moves to Full Senate after Church Arguments Rejected, by Mark P. Couch, Denver Post (February 14, 2006)
- - Abusive Priests Get Legal Break: House Won't Allow Victims' Lawsuits to Go Back 35 Years, by Catherine Candisky and Jim Siegel, Columbus Dispatch (March 29, 2006)
- Window Closed for Old Abuse Charges: Bill Adds Registry, Tells Clergy to Report Cases, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade (March 30, 2006)
- Suing the Church, by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., First Things (May 2006)
- Changing the Rules: Selective Justice for Catholic Institutions, by L. Martin Nussbaum, America (May 15, 2006)
- Bishops: We're Not Blocking Legislation, by David O'Reilly, Philadelphia Inquirer (August 14, 2006)
- What the Clergy Abuse Crisis Has Taught Us, by Marci A. Hamilton, America (September 25, 2006)
- D.A. Promotes Sex-Abuse Bill: Abraham Seeks " Window" on Statute of Limitations, by David O'Reilly, Philadelphia Inquirer (October 14, 2006)

- Ohio's Victims of Clerical Sexual Abuse Left Frustrated by Senate Bill 17, by Todd Jarrett, Toledo City Paper (February 28, 2007)
- Abuse Victims Help Send Bill for Senate Vote, by Beth Miller, News Journal (March 22, 2007)
- Landmark Sexual Abuse Bill Heads to Governor's Office, by Beth Miller, News Journal (June 20, 2007)
- Delaware Senate Bill 29
- Delaware Gives Pedophilia Victims More Time to File Lawsuits, Associated Press (July 11, 2007)
- 1st Suit Filed under Del. Sex-Abuse Law, by David O'Reilly, Philadelphia Inquirer (July 13, 2007)
- A 'Window' for Victims of Abuse: Historic Legislation from Sacramento Allowed Abuse Victims to Take Legal Action against the Los Angeles Archdiocese, by Marci A. Hamilton, Los Angeles Times (July 19, 2007)
- Diocese of Buffalo Hardly Touched by Clergy Sexual Abuse Settlements, by Jay Tokasz, Buffalo News (July 22, 2007)
- Advocates Seek to Expand Time for Abuse Claims, by Thomas Adcock, New York Law Journal (September 28, 2007)
- The Abuse-and-Coverup Scandal: The Church Should Not Oppose Extending Statutes of Limitation, by Charles Molineaux, Society of Catholic Social Scientists Annual Meeting (October 27, 2007)
- Victims in Law: Statutes of Limitation Must End So Sexual Abuse Victims—Not Predators—Are Helped, by Marge Markey and Marci A. Hamilton, Albany Times Union (October 28, 2007)
- Bill Would Allow Lawsuits in Old Sexual Abuse Cases: It Also Would End Statutes of Limitation, by Tom Heinen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (November 28, 2007)

- A Wider Window for Sex-Abuse Suits: Rep. Gwyn Green Is Trying Again. Her Proposal in 2006 Collapsed under Hot Debate, by John Ingold, Denver Post (February 6, 2008)
- Colorado House Bill 1011
- End Statute of Limitations for Abuse Victims, by Sister Maureen Paul Turlish, MetroWest Daily News (June 2, 2008)