Bill Eliminates Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse Victims to File Civil Claims

WBAL TV
February 29, 2019

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/statute-of-limitations-for-child-sex-abuse-victims-in-civil-claims/26576661

Maryland delegates are mulling a bill concerning child sex abuse and the time limit for victims to file civil litigation.

The bill concerns civil cases, not criminal matters. Supporters said they have been trying to get the legislation passed for two decades.

Survivors of child sex abuse spoke out Thursday on Lawyer's Mall, including David Lorenz, who held a photo of his 16-year-old self. He said he was abused by a priest at his parochial school.

"I always remembered it. I never forgot about it. (I) wrestled with it, had insomnia about it, had anxiety about it, never told anybody," Lorenz said.

House Bill 687 would eliminate the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to file civil claims. The current cutoff is age 38.

"It takes years and years for victims of abuse to identify their experience," said Pat Cronin, executive director of The Family Tree.