HARRISBURG, Pa. — State lawmakers and victims' rights advocates gathered at the capitol in Harrisburg on Monday to call for movement on legislation that would extend Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors.
On April 4, State Representative Mark Rozzi (D-Berks), Governor Tom Wolf and others urged Senate Republican leadership to allow an immediate vote on House Bill 951.
Rozzi's legislation would provide a retroactive two-year window for victims of childhood abuse to file civil lawsuits.
The bill passed through the State House and Senate Judiciary Committee nearly a year ago, and advocates said it's time to proceed.
"Victims have been waiting 17 years to seek justice in a court of law, and in 17 years...the Senate has been stalling this legislation," said Rozzi. "They have been blocking this legislation."
Wolf said if the bill is not included in the state's final budget in June, he will call a new legislative session over the summer to get it done.
"This is a necessary, important step to hold abusers and the institutions that enable them responsible and accountable," said Wolf.
The Senate Republican Caucus responded to the calls for legislative action on House Bill 951with the following statement from the caucus' spokesperson, Erica Clayton Wright:
“The General Assembly is on track to place its second vote on HB 951 in the next session guaranteeing the people of Pennsylvania a vote on the matter in the primary. Attempts to elevate this matter to “special session” status is a media play that further by-passes the public vetting process denying Pennsylvanians proper consideration of the proposed amendment. I understand Gov. Wolf’s will to correct the mistake of his administration to initiate the public review process, but by-passing the proper process does not properly vet this matter with the public. More importantly, it does not give victims the justice they deserve. The strongest legal position for victims (public and private) of childhood sexual abuse to face their abusers is via constitutional amendment.”
You can read House Bill No. 951 here: