Currently, state law only allows those who were victims of sexual abuse as children to file criminal charges until age 50, and to pursue civil lawsuits until age 30.
Pennsylvania House and Senate Must ‘Find Some Agreement’
In an interview with AP, Turzai said, “Everybody empathizes with the victims of child sexual abuse. These victims have to live with these consequences the rest of their lives.”
In addition, the Republican Pennsylvania House Speaker said the proposed legislation is “important.” The key to its passage and sending it to the governor’s desk is to “find some agreement” between the House and Senate.
Meanwhile, Democratic state Rep. Mark Rozzi, commented, “I know in the speaker’s heart, he knows what the right thing to do here is, and that is to pass the window.”
Rozzi is one of the most vocal advocates for child sexual abuse victims. He has been pushing to reform the statute of limitations to give victims a legal remedy to obtain justice.
Just like the governor, Rozzi rejected the idea of a church-established fund for victims suggested by Pennsylvania Senate President pro Tempore Joe Scarnati.
