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	Help Push for Legislation That Supports Victims The Catholics4change April 3, 2011 http://catholics4change.com/2011/04/03/help-push-for-legislation-that-supports-victi/ House Bills 878 and 832 must go through the Pennsylvania Judiciary Committee before they go to the whole House for debate. Please contact members of the Judiciary Committee and your own state representative. These bills would protect ALL abused children – not just those related to clergy abuse. Information on the bills is in the advisory posted below contact information. Contact Information for PA Judiciary Committee: Hon. Todd Stephens, 717-260-6163. Stephens worked in the Montgomery County D.A.'s office in the sex crimes unit. Hon. Sheryl M. Delozier, 717-783-5282. Delozier worked at YWCA with victims of domestic violence and rape. Hon. Ron Marisco, Republican Chair, 717-783-2014, www.ronmarisco.com Hon. Thomas R. Caltagirone, Democratic Chair, 717-787-3525. Caltigirone refused to pass a similar bill on to the floor last session. Hon. Marcy Toepel, 717-787-9501 Hon. Tarah Toohil, 717-772-1858. Toohil is pro-life and supports family values. Hon. Debereh Kula, 717-772-1858 Hon. Jesse White, 727-222-4192, www.pahouse.com/white Hon. Bryan Cutler, 717-783-6424 Hon. Joseph F. Brennan, 717-772-9902 (Thank you to Voice of the Faithful for compiling this contact information.) You can email and get more information via the following Web site. http://www.pasen.gov/index.cfm HARRISBURG, March 9 – State Reps. Louise Williams Bishop and Mike McGeehan, both D-Phila., have called on the House Judiciary Committee to convene a public hearing and vote on their two bills to abolish the statute of limitations in child sexual abuse cases and to suspend the statute of limitations for adult victims of childhood sex abuse. Their letter to Republican Chairman Ronald Marsico, R-Dauphin, and Democratic Chairman Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks, follows Tuesday's announcement by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that 21 priests have been placed on administrative leave after they were named in a grand jury report on incidents of child abuse within the diocese. "While we applaud the Archdiocese for taking action called upon by the grand jury recommendations by removing credibly accused priests from public circulation, it is all the more apparent that laws must be enacted to allow justice to be served," the two said in their letter. "Only through discovery can records and files on the accused be subpoenaed and alleged enablers of childhood sexual abuse be deposed." Bishop's bill (HB. 832) would abolish the statute of limitations on both criminal and civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse going forward. McGeehan's bill (H.B. 878) would open a two-year window for adult victims of childhood abuse to access the civil justice system. The burden of proof is on the plaintiff to prove. The bills were supported at a joint news conference last week by Bishop and McGeehan. The event also featured representatives from The Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse, Survivor Network of Those Abused by Priests, parents of sexually exploited children, victims and other stakeholders. "We want to emphasize that although this latest action on the part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provided the catalyst for our request, we recognize that the problem is not peculiar to the Catholic Church and by some estimates, cleric abuse accounts for but a small percentage of childhood sexual abuse," they wrote. Bishop said updating Pennsylvania's child abuse laws is a challenge long overdue for comprehensive action by the legislature. "Child abuse crosses all racial, economic, and cultural boundaries," Bishop said. "All types of child abuse leave lasting emotional scars often throughout the victim's life." "If it can be shown that a person is directly responsible for hurting or putting children in harm's way, those people should be prosecuted as in any other case," said McGeehan. "This is the only way to keep organizations accountable for the actions of their personnel and protect children from serial pedophiles." March 8, 2011 Honorable Ron Marsico, Chairman PA House Judiciary Committee 218 Ryan Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Honorable Ron Marsico, Chairman PA House Judiciary Committee 218 Ryan Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Dear Chairman Marsico and Chairman Caltagirone: Today, Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced that 21 priests have been placed on administrative leave following an internal review of allegations of sexual abuse of minors emanating from the second grand jury last month. While we applaud the Archdiocese for taking action called upon by the Grand Jury recommendations by removing credibly accused priests from public circulation, it is all the more apparent that laws must be enacted to allow justice to be served. We are respectfully requesting that you, as Chairmen of the House Judiciary Committee, conduct a hearing and vote House Bill 832 and House Bill 878 out of committee forthright. House Bill 832 abolishes the statutes of limitation for future criminal and civil child sex abuse cases. House Bill 878 provides for a two year civil "window" for adult victims of childhood abuse to access the justice system against perpetrators and the entities which employed them. Plaintiffs must prove "gross negligence" on the part of the entity. Only through discovery can records and files on the accused be subpoenaed and alleged enablers of childhood sexual abuse be deposed. We want to emphasize that although this latest action on the part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provided the catalyst for our request, we recognize that the problem is not peculiar to the Catholic Church and by some estimates, cleric abuse accounts for but a small percentage of childhood sexual abuse. With that said, we welcome the opportunity to work with the Judiciary Committee to prepare for a hearing on these statutes of limitation bills and we thank you in advance for your consideration of our request. Sincerely, Rep. Louise Williams Bishop PA House of Representatives 192nd Legislative District Rep. Michael P. McGeehan PA House of Representatives 173rd Legislative District
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