Pennsylvania Lawmakers Pass Measure Relaxing Statue Of Limitations In Child Sex Abuse Cases
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Legislature is closer to settling a years-long battle over lifting criminal and civil statutes for child sexual abuse crimes in a debate growing out of Roman Catholic Church scandals.
The Republican-controlled state Senate on Wednesday night rejected efforts to temporarily dissolve time limits in state law that bar now-adult victims of child sexual abuse from suing their abusers and institutions that may have covered it up.
Instead, the Senate approved a bill beginning the multi-year process of seeking to amend Pennsylvania's Constitution to allow a two-year window for lawsuits to be filed by now-adult victims who are barred by law from suing.
Senators also passed a measure relaxing criminal and civil statutes of limitations in sexual abuse cases where children and young adults are the victims.
The House has previously approved the bills' core elements.
(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)