DENVER (CO)
TheDenverChannel.com
DENVER -- State senators began debate Tuesday on whether to get rid of limits on filing lawsuits over the sexual abuse of children, legislation that has been opposed by the Roman Catholic Church in Colorado.
Senators gave initial backing to giving alleged victims until they turn 53 to file lawsuits from now on. That's because dozens of victims have told lawmakers they didn't have the courage to come public until they were in their 40s and 50s.
But lawmakers still haven't decided what to do about the most controversial part of the legislation -- whether to change the law and allow people to go back and sue over old cases.
The Senate was set to discuss that later in the afternoon but because the vote is expected to be close, debate was delayed because one bill supporter was excused for part of the afternoon and another wouldn't have been able to stay late. None of the changes they backed will be official until they conclude debate.