All senators who were present during session today passed Bill 326. The legislation lifts the civil statute of limitations in cases involving child sex abuse. The legislation passed amid multiple allegations of child molestation accusations made against local clergy including Archbishop Anthony Apuron. Several men have come forward alleging Apuron molested them when they were altar boys at Mt. Carmel Church in Agat where he had served as a priest. These same men testified in support of the bill when it had its public hearing.

The vote on Bill 326 was 13–yes and 2– excused absences.

The bill was authored by Sen. Frank Blas, Jr. He thanked his colleagues for their support and church groups that actively pushed for the bill to give relief to victims of child sex abuse, “We know that time restrictions have been a particularly pressing problem in light of the delicate nature of child sex crimes as victims often need many years to overcome the pain of their abuse and time to obtain the courage needed to speak out about the abuse that they have suffered,” Senator Blas said.

“As the national trend moves toward loosening past restrictions and statutes of limitations, we are now doing the same with the passage of Bill No. 326-33(COR).”

The bill will next head to Adelup for the Governor’s review and action.