ERIE (PA)
Go Erie

October 15, 2018

For many pundits and critics, the legacy of the 2017-18 legislative session will be determined by the final outcome of Senate Bill 261, a measure that addresses the criminal and civil statutes of limitations in cases of childhood sexual assault.

I want to stress that as the Senate again takes up this bill, the welfare and redress of victims remains the focus of this legislation. That has been the case ever since we unanimously approved and sent the bill to the House of Representatives on Feb. 1, 2017.

Unfortunately, it languished there for 20 months. We could have held public hearings to determine the best path forward if the House had sent it back in a more timely fashion. Instead, we were given a handful of days to consider the many ramifications of the amendments made by the House.

Anyone who has…