ALBANY (NY)
CNHI
November 8, 2018
By Joe Mahoney
ALBANY: Measure would compel clergy members to report child abuse.
With New York’s Catholic bishops grappling with a clergy sexual abuse crisis, an influential GOP state senator from Western New York is calling on fellow lawmakers to repeal the statute of limitations for offenses involving the sexual attack of children and offer whisteblower protections to those who report molestations.
“This legislation will ensure that those in positions of authority are held accountable and will give victims the ability to seek prosecution of their abuser,” Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma, said in a statement.
Gallivan said his bill would extend the statute of limitation under the civil practice law to recover damages for physical and psychological injuries caused by child molesters.
The bill, filed while lawmakers are scheduled to remain on recess until January, would also add clergy members to the list of those who are mandated to report suspected child abuse to law enforcement.
But Gallivan’s legislation is expected to face a hurdle, erected by the outcome of this week’s elections that concluded with Democrats winning enough Senate seats to take control of Albany’s upper chamber in less than eight weeks.
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