PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Democrat
By Dave Sutor
dsutor@tribdem.com
The possible inclusion of a retroactivity clause is the most contentious sticking point in the discussion about changing Pennsylvania’s statute-of-limitations laws for cases of child sexual abuse.
Many elected officials seem to be in agreement about increasing the current age limits of 30 for civil actions and 50 for criminal complaints.
However, one side, led by state Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, and advocates in the Johnstown region, want any new law to include a two-year window during which alleged victims could file civil claims against perpetrators of past abuse. Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, a Republican, backed by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference and the Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, opposes retroactivity, believing it would violate the commonwealth’s constitution.
The state’s top law enforcement officer has taken an unequivocal stance.
“I have made my position quite clear on that issue, both as a lawmaker when I was in the (Pennsylvania) House (of Representatives), as a candidate for this office, and since I’ve been in this office that I think we should have a retroactivity provision,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said when meeting with members of The Tribune-Democrat staff on Wednesday.
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