The priest sex abuse scandal inside the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese could lead to change.
The Majority Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says he will introduce legislation to abolish the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases later today.
However, this is only for future cases and it is not retroactive.
Representative Ron Marisco, representing the 105th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, says the bill would raise the statute of limitations age from 30 to 50.
He said he is horrified by the church sex abuse allegations, but was also concerned by the negative impact of potential civil lawsuits and what the impact would be for non-profits and community groups that those accused were associated with.
In statement he said “these groups were created to help people and I would not want those people to lose access to life-supporting services. ”
Marisco introduced this legislation to the Committee Tuesday and it passed, some some lawmakers said it falls short.
“Legislation that was just moved in committee today did nothing to address those victims, hundreds of victims, that have been sexually abused and systematically covered up by the bishops,” Representative Mark Rozzi (D), Berks County, said. “Today’s legislation gives them no justice.”
The bill will now go before the full House for consideration.