TRENTON (NJ)
Newsday
By ANGELA DELLI SANTI
Associated Press Writer
December 6, 2005, 8:32 PM EST
TRENTON, N.J. -- A year and a half after the state Senate voted to change the law shielding charities from liability in child sex assault cases, the state Assembly appears poised to finally consider the legislation next week.
The bill would grant new powers to child sex abuse victims in New Jersey, where the law now protects schools, churches and other nonprofits from being held liable for criminal actions of their employees.
New Jersey is one of only three states in the country with charitable immunity laws still on the books. The others are Alabama and Tennessee.
The bill would allow sex abuse victims to pursue lawsuits and collect damages from an organization if they can show that it acted negligently by hiring or employing sexual predators. Those abused as children could file lawsuits years later as adults.
"I've had discussions with the speaker and the majority leader; they've agreed to put it up for a vote," said Assemblyman Neil Cohen, D-Union, a sponsor of the legislation. "Everyone is now very excited."