PENNSYLVANIA
WITF
AP
(Harrisburg) –The Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday revived legislation to lift time limits on when some perpetrators of child sexual abuse can be sued by their victims and prosecuted by authorities, although a major disagreement with the House could remain.
The Senate voted unanimously for legislation that was propelled by fresh Roman Catholic Church scandals in Pennsylvania. Identical legislation passed by the Senate died last year amid a disagreement with the House over restoring the ability of child victims to sue for damages if they are now older than the current legal age limit of 30.
House members unveiled two competing bills earlier this week, including one by Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, who has told of his own victimization as a child by a Roman Catholic priest. A spokesman for House Republican majority leaders said they are committed to getting the legislation on the subject to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.
“We plan to work with the members of the Senate and members of the House to get a strong bill with a strong message to victims to the governor’s desk,” House GOP spokesman Stephen Miskin said.
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