Senate Democrats Jointly Introduce Bill to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Sexual Offenses

Abril 10, 2019

Senadora Katie Muth

HARRISBURG, PA − Abril 10, 2019 − Today, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus introduced legislation to eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual offenses and open a window for civil liability.

The legislation was introduced as Senate Bill 540. 

“I wanted to get to Harrisburg to amplify the voices of those who’ve gone unheard for far too long,” said Senator Tim Kearney. “Trauma does not have an expiration date; We will not limit survivors’ opportunities to seek justice.”

“I support Senate Bill 540 because it follows the unanimous recommendations of the Pennsylvania grand jury that spent two years examining widespread sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy, and an institutional cover-up spanning decades,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. “Since the Grand Jury Report was released last Agosto, 16 other states have opened investigations into clergy abuse and cover-up, the U.S. Justice Department has launched a probe, 1600 people have called our clergy abuse hotline, and 35 states are considering legislative changes like those called for by the grand jury. It’s time for Pennsylvania lawmakers to do their part.”

“Sexual assault is horrific in every instance,” said Senator Maria Collett. “This legislation acknowledges the reality of why victims are often slow to report as well as the egregious lifelong damage this type of trauma inflicts.”

“In the PA House, I worked with Rep. Mark Rozzi in trying to eliminate the statute of limitations in cases of child sex abuse,” said Senator Steve Santarsiero. “Over the past few years support has steadily built for that idea.  This should be the year that we lift the statute for all victims of sexual violence, children and adults.  Justice demands no less.”

“SB 540 is a victim-centered bill that will finally allow all survivors to choose their pathway to healing and justice,” said Senator Katie Muth. “Sexual violence and abuse is a public health crisis and we must stop this rape culture epidemic.”

 “I’m hopeful that this bill will be embraced and ultimately passed with bipartisan support,” said Senator Lindsey Williams.

El proyecto de ley modificaría el Título 42 (Poder Judicial y Procedimiento Judicial) para:

  • eliminar la prescripción penal y civil (SOL) para las víctimas de abusos sexuales, agresiones y conductas indebidas cuyos abusos se produjeron a cualquier edad;
  • proporcionar un plazo civil de 2 años para revivir reclamaciones SOL previamente caducadas, y; 
  • también establecen un plazo de 6 meses para que los supervivientes que deseen resolver voluntariamente su reclamación fuera del sistema judicial puedan hacerlo.

While this bill addresses the concerns of the Grand Jury report on church sex abuse, what will be introduced is not SB 261 of 2017-2018 nor HB 612 of 2017-2018, though those pieces of legislation did inform the context of this bill. 

“There is a war on sexual violence in this country and in so many ways, Pennsylvania has been ground zero,” said state Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm. “I am honored to stand here with our new Senators as we add more voices to this army of support to finally change our broken system, expose those who seek to behind it and offer a path to justice and healing for all Pennsylvania’s victims and survivors.”

The Senators were also joined by a handful of survivor victims who offered remarks on the need for this legislation.

Esta crisis es indistinta de la edad; hay innumerables víctimas que han sido objeto de abusos sexuales, agresiones y conductas indebidas a lo largo de su vida. Un estudio realizado por la Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) reveló que el 82% de las víctimas de agresiones sexuales tienen entre 18 y 64 años. El 2015 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey Date Brief mostró que el 55,6% de las mujeres encuestadas tenían 18 años o más cuando fueron víctimas por primera vez de violación consumada o intento de violación.

Sin embargo, esta investigación se basa en los abusos, agresiones y faltas denunciados. Según la Oficina de Estadísticas de Justicia, entre 1992 y 2000 sólo se denunciaron el 36% de las violaciones, el 34% de los intentos de violación y el 26% de las agresiones sexuales. Estos datos describen una población marginada y no reflejan el alcance real de la crisis debido a la falta de denuncias.

Senators signed on to sponsor the bill are: Senator Timothy P. Kearney and Senator Maria Collett, Senator Katie J. Muth, Senator Steven J. Santarsiero, Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator John P. Blake, Senator James R. Brewster, Senator Jay Costa, Senator Andrew E. Dinniman, Senator Lawrence M. Farnese, Jr., Senator Wayne D. Fontana, Senator Vincent J. Hughes, Senator Daylin Leach, Senator Judith L. Schwank, Senator Sharif Street, Senator Christine M. Tartaglione, Senator Anthony H. Williams.

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