Assembly Passes Bill To Allow Sex-Abuse Lawsuits
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The state Assembly has approved legislation that would open a one-year window for some victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue private or nonprofit organizations.
The bill from Democratic Sen. Jim Beall of San Jose is similar to a 2002 measure passed amid the Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal.
SB131 would lift the statute of limitations for a group of alleged victims who were 26 and older and missed the previous window to sue their abuser's employer.
Opponents, including Catholic Church leaders, say the bill is unfair because it does not include public institutions.
Democratic Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner of Berkeley says she was abused as a child and that it took her years to address what happened.
The legislation cleared the Assembly on a 42-14 vote Wednesday and returns to the Senate for a final vote.
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