PENNSYLVANIA
The Daily Item
By John Finnerty CNHI Harrisburg Bureau
HARRISBURG — Legislation to change the statute of limitations for child sex crimes is going to the floor of the House without a provision that would allow victims of old crimes to sue the Catholic church and other institutions that allegedly covered up for predators.
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that passed the Senate unanimously, making a number of changes but without discussing a proposal long sought by victims of child sex abuse to allow them to sue now even if the statute of limitations in their cases has expired.
State Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks County, who has led the campaign to get the law changed to allow victims of old child sex crimes to sue, said he plans to amend the bill on the floor of the House.
While victims have been assured that the measure will get voted upon when the legislation gets to the House floor, Shaun Dougherty, a Johnstown native who has disclosed he was molested by a priest, said he was disappointed by the House panel’s vote.
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