PENNSYLVANIA
Philly.com
by Angela Couloumbis, HARRISBURG BUREAU
HARRISBURG – In a stunning ideological shift, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for child sex abuse crimes and increase the legal window for victims to file civil claims against their abusers.
The bill, versions of which have languished for years in the legislature, now heads to the Senate. If it is approved in that chamber, it could potentially open the door for hundreds of victims who say the old statute of limitations shut them out from seeking justice against their abusers.
“You have given the children of this Commonwealth hope,” said Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks), a former abuse victim himself who championed the legislation.
Under current law, child sexual abuse victims can file lawsuits against their abusers until the age of 30. They can seek criminal charges against offenders until they reach 50 years of age.
The bill passed in a 180-15 vote by the House would eliminate the statute of limitations in future criminal cases. But it would effectively be retroactive on the civil side, extending from age 30 to age 50 the amount of time for child sexual abuse victims to file civil claims.
The latter, in particular, has been a major sticking point for more than a decade, with some legislators in the House blocking any action on measures that opened windows for victims who have aged out to bring civil actions.
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