August 10, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Following overwhelming support and being passed by the Louisiana Legislative Committee in May , the Louisiana Senate unanimously voted, 32-0, to remove the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to pursue civil claims in court. In addition, the passage of House Bill 492, also opens a 3-year revival window, allowing survivors with older child sex abuse claims that may have previously been time-barred, to bring a claim in court, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
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Investigation Finds Southern Baptist Leaders Covered Up Sex Abuse Claims
May 25, 2022 / by Christina Feeney / Religious Institutions Sexual Abuse & Assault
A third-party investigation, done at the request of Southern Baptists, found that for almost twenty years, leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention were ignoring claims regarding a sexual abuse epidemic within the community.
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Kentucky Governor Signs New Child Abuse Bills into Law but State Still Falls Short
August 12, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
In April of 2021, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 254 into law which enhances the penalties against predators who possess, view or distribute sexually exploitive material of a child younger than 12, making it a Class C felony and raising it to a Class B felony for subsequent offenses.
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Iowa Governor Signs Bill to Remove the Criminal SOL for Child Sex Abuse Victims
August 11, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
In May, Governor Kim Reynolds of Iowa, signed Senate File 562 into law which removes the criminal statute of limitations for sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor. Previously the law required that criminal charges be filed within 15 years of the victim turning 18, or age 33.
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Louisiana Legislature Passes Bill Providing Victims of Sexual Abuse Relief from Filing Deadlines
August 10, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Following overwhelming support and being passed by the Louisiana Legislative Committee in May , the Louisiana Senate unanimously voted, 32-0, to remove the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims to pursue civil claims in court. In addition, the passage of House Bill 492, also opens a 3-year revival window, allowing survivors with older child sex abuse claims that may have previously been time-barred, to bring a claim in court, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
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Older Survivors of Sexual Abuse Will Have to Wait for Statute Changes
May 26, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Connecticut’s current civil statute of limitations law (SOL) for childhood sexual abuse leaves older victims of abuse without an avenue to pursue justice because their claims are time-barred by the law. Unfortunately, those survivors will have to wait at least another year to see if any impactful changes will be made to those statute of limitations laws since no bill to change the SOL was introduced to the state legislature in the 2020 session.
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Sexual Abuse Reform Bills Currently in Massachusetts’ Legislature
May 21, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Several Bills have been filed by Massachusetts Senate and House leaders to open up avenues to civil justice for survivors of child sexual abuse. A number of these Bills propose removing the civil statute of limitations for survivors of child sexual abuse and opening up a permanent revival window for time-barred claims.
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Bill Extending Time for Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Passes Committee in Louisiana
May 13, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Bill 492 received overwhelming support and passed the Louisiana Legislative Committee and will now head to the Louisiana State Legislature House of Representatives. The Bill extends the statute of limitations (SOL) for sexual abuse survivors to 35 years after the victim’s 18th birthday.
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Pennsylvania Legislators Take Two-Track Approach to Open Revival Window for Child Sex Abuse Survivors
April 15, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
After a serious ‘blunder’ by Pennsylvania’s Department of State earlier this month, Pennsylvania legislators look to pass a new bill that would allow child sex abuse victims a two-year ‘window’ to file civil claims in court against both public and private entities.
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Lawyers for Sexual Abuse Victims say $300 Million Offered by Boy Scouts Falls Short
March 9, 2021 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
The Boy Scouts of America has offered to fund a trust with at least $300 million to compensate child sex abuse victims. The offer is part of a reorganization plan submitted by the Boy Scouts after filing for bankruptcy in 2020. The money will come from local councils, insurance policies and the sale of a collection of Norman Rockwell paintings.
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Rhode Island Passes Law Helping Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
September 21, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
On August 9, 2019, Governor Gina M. Raimondo held a ceremony, signing into law a new childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations reform. The reform gives victims of childhood sexual abuse a major victory, which will allow more survivors, particularly those who are older, the ability to hold their abusers accountable for their actions.
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