Statute of Limitations - Feeney Law Firm

New Maryland Law Opens Permanent Revival Window

Christina Feeney — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:59:50 +0000

In April, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed the Child Victims Act of 2023 into law. The new law removes the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse by opening up a permanent revival window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse . . .

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Maine Diocese Challenges Law Removing Statue of Limitations

Christina Feeney — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 17:26:12 +0000

The Diocese of Portland is challenging the constitutionality of the new law and trying to get the lawsuits dismissed . . .

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Revival Window Bill Moving Through State Senate in Pennsylvania

Christina Feeney — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 19:25:17 +0000

New House Speaker Mark Rozzi recently vowed that no other legislation would be taken up until the Senate approved a constitutional amendment allowing child sex abuse victims to file claims . . .

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Over 800 Sex Abuse Lawsuits Filed in New Jersey Since Revival Window Opened

Christina Feeney — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 20:02:45 +0000

Since December 1, 2019, when New Jersey opened a two-year revival window for victims of sexual abuse, 820 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse against clerics, teachers, and nuns have been filed against Catholic dioceses and orders.

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Michigan Lawmakers Consider Extending Time for Child Sex Abuse Victims to Bring Lawsuits

Christina Feeney — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:12:52 +0000

The Michigan Legislature is considering bipartisan bills which, if passed, would give survivors of sexual abuse more time to bring their claims forward and file lawsuits against their abusers in the state of Michigan. The current law caps the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse at age 28, which is on the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other states around the country.

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Iowa Governor Signs Bill to Remove the Criminal SOL for Child Sex Abuse Victims

Brett Katsma — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 16:35:07 +0000

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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Maine Passes Child Sexual Abuse SOL Reform

Brett Katsma — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 19:18:33 +0000

Maine Governor Janet Mills recently signed into law a bill that will allow survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits against their perpetrators no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. While the state did eliminate the state of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims in 2000, that law was not retroactive so survivors whose claims were expired at that point could not bring them forward.

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Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sex Abuse Survivors

Brett Katsma — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 18:54:05 +0000

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 73 into law in April 2021 which eliminates the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault of minors and adults. One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, said of the new law, “Victims deserve justice whenever they choose to seek it. Outdated laws won’t be able to stop them anymore.”

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Statute of Limitations Bill Stalled in PA Legislature

Brett Katsma — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:00:22 +0000

Pressure to change existing statute of limitations laws for survivors of sexual abuse began to emerge from the public after a 2018 grand jury report from the state’s Attorney General shed light on just how deep the Catholic Church’s cover-up of child sexual abuse ran in Pennsylvania. Three years later, efforts to change those laws are still getting bogged down in the state’s legislature.

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Kansas Court of Appeals Rules Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Can Move Forward

Brett Katsma — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 20:17:27 +0000

A ruling by the Kansas Court of Appeals holding that negligence claims against institutions are not barred by the statute of limitations will allow a sexual abuse lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Kansas City to move forward

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