NORTH CAROLINA
WRAL
By Laura Leslie
RALEIGH, N.C. — The state House will likely vote this week on a bill to lengthen the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits by victims of childhood sexual abuse.
House Bill 585 had its first hearing Wednesday morning, passing the House Judiciary IV Committee by a unanimous vote.
According to sponsor Rep. Dennis Riddell, R-Alamance, although there is no statute of limitations on criminal charges for child sexual abuse, state law allows only a three-year window on civil suits. Child victims can bring suit only if they’re 21 or younger.
The measure would raise the cutoff age for civil suits by victims of childhood sexual abuse to 40 years old. Victims who are 40 years old today would have a one-year window.
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