Bill Extending Deadlines in Abuse Cases Advances

By Laurie Goodstein
New York Times
April 5, 2016

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/us/pennsylvania-bill-extending-deadlines-in-abuse-cases-advances.html?_r=1

The State Legislature, under pressure after the release of a grand jury report documenting an extensive cover-up of clergy sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, took action on Tuesday to give victims more time to seek justice. Many child abuse victims do not speak up until later in life, citing shame or fear. The House Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would change the state’s statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases, eliminating the time limit for bringing criminal charges and extending the deadline for victims to file civil lawsuits to age 50 from age 30. The bill was amended to include child sexual abuse cases against schoolteachers and government officials. The legislation is scheduled to be brought to the full House on Monday.