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	Survivors Network Fears Bill Will Lose Key Element One-Year Window to File Suits against Abusers in Old Cases By Shaheen Samavati Dayton Daily News [Columbus OH] March 28, 2006 http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0328abuse.html Columbus | Terry Staub of Kettering didn't tell anyone she was sexually abused by a priest when she was in first grade. More than four decades passed before she reported the abuse. Under Ohio law that was too late to take civil action. Staub, now 64, had hoped a bill pending in a House committee would address the time limit issue. But now she and other members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests are afraid that the provision could be stripped from the bill before a committee vote scheduled for today. The group's president, Barbara Blaine, was not optimistic after she met with House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, on Monday. Her group is concerned the committee might remove a one-year window for the filing of civil claims stemming from abuse occurring more than 35 years ago. Blaine said her group would not back the bill without the provision. "We believe that it would give the illusion that it might help someone but it doesn't," she said. Under current law, victims have one year from their 18th birthday to file civil claims against their abusers. The Catholic Conference of Ohio, which represents dioceses in the state, has opposed the window, saying it is retroactive and against the Ohio Constitution. If it passes through committee, the legislation could be up for a full House vote as soon as Wednesday, said Karen Tabor, a spokeswoman for Husted. The Senate, which passed the legislation unanimously a year ago, would need to concur on any House changes before it could go to Gov. Bob Taft for his approval. Contact Shaheen Samavati at (614) 224-1625.
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