TRENTON (NJ)
Gloucester County Times
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
By Terrence Dopp
gcnews@sjnewsco.com
TRENTON -- The state Assembly voted overwhelmingly Monday to strike down portions of New Jersey's "Charitable Immunity Act," which has blocked victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests from seeking monetary awards.
The 1958 statute protects a charitable organization from lawsuits by those who benefit from its services. Under the measure passed by the lower house 63 - 5 with 10 abstentions, the act would no longer apply to charges of sexual abuse. It would be retroactive to include all past cases of abuse.
Members of the state Senate, who passed a similar measure last year, need to sign off on changes made by the Assembly before the bill goes to Acting Gov. Richard Codey for his signature.