The reform measures would also retroactively raise the age at which victims of past child sexual abuse can bring civil action against their abusers. Under current law, a victim who was sexually abused under the age of 18 has until age 30 to file a lawsuit. The House-approved legislation would raise that age to 50.

The Philadelphia archdiocese, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, insurers and other organizations oppose the legislation.

This Friday, the archdiocese is holding an information session at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood to discuss what it calls the “potential risks” associated with House Bill 1947.

The archdiocese also is filming a commercial intended to educate the public about those risks.

It also was announced earlier this week that the archdiocese is sending letters to be placed in church bulletins urging parishioners to oppose the legislation.

Joe Aponick, spokesman for the Diocese of Harrisburg, said in an e-mail he was unaware of any letters being sent to churches in the Harrisburg diocese.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported last week that Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput had met with regional priests and asked them to share his concerns about the legislation.

Chaput is said to have been instrumental in defeating a similar law while serving in Colorado.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference has opposed previous statute of limitations reforms in the state, but a pair of grand jury reports and criminal charges stemming from an investigation into the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese spurred lawmakers to approve the measure in April.