Today is the deadline for attorneys to submit their suggested redactions to a 456-page investigation into the history of child sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It’s one of the final steps before Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Robert Taylor releases the long-awaited report that details the “sexual abuse” and “physical torture” of more than …
With Gov. Wes Moore’s support, survivors hope this is the year the Child Victims Act finally passes
More than 25 survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their advocates gathered Thursday afternoon in a legislative hearing room in Annapolis to once again share their stories for lawmakers and the public. Some of them shook as they spoke, some held back tears and others flat-out refused to talk about the past for their dignity’s …
News Story: Maryland mulls ending child sexual abuse lawsuit time limits
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Adults who testified they were sexually abused as children urged Maryland lawmakers on Thursday to end the state’s statute of limitations for when civil lawsuits can be filed against institutions related to child sexual abuse. Read the full news story here: http://bit.ly/3IvBFxg
Petition update · Maryland Governor Wes Moore Supports HB1 and SB686 · Change.org
Our client, David Lorenz, is the Director of the Maryland Chapter of SNAP (Survivors of those Abused by Priests). While lobbying for the bill to alter the statute of limitations to give survivors of sexual abuse access to the courts, David ran into Governor Wes Moore. What happened next may surprise you. Petition
Maryland General Assembly tracker: What’s happening with sex abuse lawsuits
The latest: The powerful Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee held a briefing Jan. 20 over the constitutionality of a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits. Known as the Child Victims Act, HB1 has passed the House several times but regularly died in the Senate. Committee Chair Will Smith, a Democrat from …
Baltimore Banner: Three words: How the Catholic Church and allies altered a bill to protect it from sex abuse lawsuits
Around the country, states are reckoning with the history of clergy sexual abuse. Legislatures are rewriting laws to give survivors new chances to sue the institutions complicit in the crimes. The Baltimore Banner explains why the hurdles may be higher to jump in Maryland. http://bit.ly/3YRgmg8
Maryland House and Senate Coordinate Bills to Protect Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
HB1 has finally been cross filed on the Senate side and is Senate Bill (SB686). It is being sponsored by the chair of the judicial proceedings committee, Will Smith. This is a big boost in our effort to get passage of this critical piece of legislation. We also have hearing dates for both HB1 and …
WA Bill Eliminates Statute of Limitations for Sexual Abuse Cases
Washington state lawmakers are considering eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases. House Bill 1618 would revise the current three-year limitation from the discovery of child sexual abuse injuries for filing claims for damages in civil suits. This is part of a national civil rights movement for children. Pedophiles and other child abusers …
Statutes of Limitations: What they are and why they matter to Child USAdvocacy
Read this important explanation about statutes of limitations, how and why they exist, and how they limit ordinary claims. In the clergy abuse context, some states have passed SOL legislation that allows survivors to file expired civil claims during a certain “window” of time. The revival windows that help survivors most are those that stay …
Follow the Journey of the Survivor’s Bill for Child Sexual Abuse
Maryland’s bill to change the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse has just begun its legislative journey. You can follow the progress of the bill here on the Maryland legislative page website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0001?ys=2023RS