CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Times
By Patrick McGreevy
September 6, 2013
SACRAMENTO — The Senate approved a measure Friday that would make it easier for some child abuse victims to sue private or nonprofit employers for failing to protect them from molesters.
The bill, which is opposed by the Catholic Church, squeaked by on a 21-8 vote and now heads to the governor. The bill would allow some child abuse victims more time to file lawsuits against private institutions such as parochial schools, but would not apply to public schools. Some victims for whom the statute of limitations has expired would get a new one-year window during which they could bring a lawsuit.
Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) disclosed during the floor debate that he was a victim of child abuse by a family member. He said the legislation is needed because it sometimes takes decades for people to admit they were molested.
“I was alone trying to understand what happened to me for many years,” Lara said. “I couldn’t go to anyone.”
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