State Rep. Mark Rozzi Reintroduces Child Sex Abuse Bill

Reading Eagle
February 18, 2017

http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/state-rep-mark-rozzi-reintroduces-child-sex-abuse-bill#.WKhh4PkgW00

Reading Eagle: Lauren A. Little | Mark Rozzi speaks during a press conference about statute of limitations reform during the annual National Center for Victims of Crime conference Tuesday in Philadelphia.

State Rep. Mark Rozzi has officially renewed his push to give victims of child sexual abuse more time to confront their abusers in court.

The Muhlenberg Township Democrat's bill would eliminate, going forward, the time limits for victims to press criminal charges or file lawsuits against their abusers and organizations that shield them. Now, victims have until age 50 to pursue charges and until age 30 to sue.

The bill would also open a two-year window during which victims of any age would be allowed to sue, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

Rozzi, himself a victim of childhood sexual assault at the hands of a Catholic priest, championed a similar bill last session. The measure cleared the House but fizzled in a stalemate after senators removed the retroactive piece allowing past victims to sue.