PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Review
BY BRAD BUMSTED | Monday, June 27, 2016, 2:54 p.m.
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HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee at a meeting Monday did not consider a bill to extend the statute of limitations on filing child sexual abuse charges, and it didn’t set an alternative date.
The committee chairman, meanwhile, stepped aside to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Advocates said they hope a vote will happen soon.
A Senate staffer close to the negotiations said it was too important to be brought up at an unscheduled “off the floor” meeting as originally thought.
If it receives a vote, the bill is expected to kill a provision allowing retroactive civil suits to be filed until the potential victim turns 50.
The House-passed bill would extend the age for filing civil suits from 30 to 50 and prevent organizations from claiming immunity if they act with gross negligence.
The House passed the bill following a statewide grand jury report in March that found widespread abuse by priests over several decades in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.
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