Berks Lawmaker Hopes to Restart Overhaul of Child Sexual Abuse Bill

By Liam Migdail-Smith
Reading Eagle
April 1, 2017

http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-lawmaker-hopes-to-restart-overhaul-of-child-sexual-abuse-bill#.WN_fSvnyi00

State Rep. Mark Rozzi is planning to re-ignite his push to give child sexual abuse victims more time to confront their abusers in court with a Harrisburg rally Monday.

The Muhlenberg Township Democrat plans to speak on the Capitol steps with abuse victims and their advocates to urge lawmakers to enact his proposal to overhaul the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases.

Rozzi, who has made the proposal his signature effort since taking office in 2013, was himself raped as a teen by a Catholic priest.

The rally comes a day before the House Judiciary Committee plans to consider an overhaul of sex abuse laws that cleared the Senate earlier this year.

The Senate's proposal would extend time limits for victims to sue or press criminal charges but is missing the element Rozzi and many other victims have demanded: A chance for victims for whom those limits have already expired to file lawsuits.