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Time is running out to get sexual abuse amendment on Pa.'s November ballot
Spotlight PA link: https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2024/07/constitutional-amendment-sexual-abuse-statute-limitations-legislature-election/
HARRISBURG — A long-awaited constitutional amendment that would give survivors of childhood sexual abuse a chance to sue their abusers will not be on the November ballot unless lawmakers advance it in the next month. Members of the divided legislature remain deadlocked. They broadly agree that voters should be given an opportunity to consider such a proposal, but are divided on how to advance it.
Democrats who control the state House want to send to voters a single question about opening the lawsuit window, while Republican leaders say the abuse amendment should be advanced alongside other GOP priorities, including an expanded voter ID requirement.
The issue has been before the body for nearly two decades and came tantalizingly close to reaching voters several years ago only to be derailed by a Wolf administration error. Survivors say the lack of movement leaves them without closure.
“Our elected leaders are snubbing us, and it feels horrible,” Shaun Dougherty, a Western Pennsylvania activist for survivors, told Spotlight PA. The proposed amendment would give adults who were sexually abused as children a limited period to seek monetary damages in court from those who abused them or protected the perpetrator.
- more at link -
Democrats who control the state House want to send to voters a single question about opening the lawsuit window, while Republican leaders say the abuse amendment should be advanced alongside other GOP priorities, including an expanded voter ID requirement.
The issue has been before the body for nearly two decades and came tantalizingly close to reaching voters several years ago only to be derailed by a Wolf administration error. Survivors say the lack of movement leaves them without closure.
“Our elected leaders are snubbing us, and it feels horrible,” Shaun Dougherty, a Western Pennsylvania activist for survivors, told Spotlight PA. The proposed amendment would give adults who were sexually abused as children a limited period to seek monetary damages in court from those who abused them or protected the perpetrator.
A lot of time and effort has been spent on this amendment by many legislators, especially State Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks), an abuse survivor and champion of the issue. Mr. Rozzi has declined to run in the next election but he's still working on getting the proposed constitutional amendment passed.
