VERMONT
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Wednesday May 15, 2013

NEAL P. GOSWAMI
Senior Staff Writer

BENNINGTON — The Legislature agreed Tuesday to extend the statute of limitations on crimes committed against children after a local prosecutor sought changes following the trial of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

40-year statute of limitations

Sexual crimes committed against a child will now have a 40-year statute of limitations. Current law only allows for prosecution of sexual assault, lewd and lascivious conduct, sexual exploitation of a minor within 10 years after it is reported or until a child turns 24.

Bennington County Chief Deputy State’s Attorney Christina Rainville said the Sandusky case was a “watershed moment” for her and led her to seek a change in Vermont law. She approached Bennington County Democratic Sen. Dick Sears, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to seek an extended limit.