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…