Local Lawmakers Wants Changes to Child Sex Abuse Cases

By Tony Romeo
CBS Philly
June 18, 2012

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/06/18/local-lawmakers-wants-changes-to-child-sex-abuse-cases/

Philadelphia House Democrat Michael McGeehan at the podium

HARRISBURG, Pa.(CBS) — Some state lawmakers from Philadelphia are using a rarely-invoked parliamentary procedure in an effort to get a pair of child sex abuse bills to the House floor for a vote.

Philadelphia House Democrat Michael McGeehan says a "discharge resolution" aimed at forcing movement on bills bottled up in committee has only been used a few times in the current session.

"This extraordinary move that we're taking takes on some of the most powerful interests in this capitol and in this Commonwealth … starting with the insurance industry … starting with the most powerful secular and religious organizations," McGeehan explained.

But even if ultimately successful, with a limited number of session days before summer recess, a vote might not come until fall.

McGeehan is the sponsor of a bill that would create a special two-year window to file civil suits for people who suffered sex abuse as children, but for whom the statute of limitations has expired.

Philadelphia House Democrat Louise Bishop has sponsored another bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases.