PENNSYLVANIA
Reading Eagle
by Michael Yoder
The process of seeking justice for victims of child sexual abuse has been renewed this week in the state Legislature after last year’s contentious battle.
Lawmakers have introduced competing bills in the House and the Senate. State Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Muhlenberg Township Democrat, reintroduced his bill on Tuesday that would allow abuse victims to bring lawsuits in cases that took place years or even decades ago.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, a Jefferson County Republican, had his own bill move to the Senate floor Monday and could see a vote as early as Wednesday. Scarnati’s bill would give future abuse victims a longer window to bring civil and criminal charges.
But it does not include the retroactive provision Rozzi says is crucial for victims. Rozzi insists that the legislation should allow any victims of abuse to pursue civil claims in court, even if the abuse occurred decades ago and has passed the statutes of limitation.
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