PENNSYLVANIA
Raw Story
BETHANIA PALMA MARKUS
11 JUN 2016
Advocates for clergy sex abuse victims in Pennsylvania are claiming that lobbying and intimidation tactics by the Roman Catholic Church will result in lawmakers either diluting or defeating a bill that would let victims sue for crimes that occurred decades ago, Philly.com reports Saturday.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Democrat who is himself a victim of clergy abuse.
“It looks like they’re going to remove my amendment,” Rozzi told Philly.com. “Victims, oh my God, they’re going to be devastated.”
The bill, if passed, would allow victims as old as 50 to sue attackers and their employers for violations that occurred as far back as the 1970s. Currently, victims have 12 years to pursue the matter after turning 18. After the age of 30, the statute of limitations prevents them from legal action. Rozzi hopes to give victims more time.
Sources told Philly.com that Solicitor General Bruce L. Castor Jr. is planning to testify Monday in front of the Senate that the legislation is unconstitutional, giving lawmakers an excuse to back away from supporting it. As solicitor general, Castor has the power to make legal calls for the state attorney general’s office.
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