HARRISBURG — UPDATE (9/25/18): A bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal cases and open a two-year window allowing victims to file civil lawsuits passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Tuesday.
The bill that would allow victims to file civil suits against their alleged abusers within the two-year window -- even if the statute of limitations is expired -- moves on to the Senate.
BREAKING: Statute of Limitations overhaul overwhelmingly passes the PA House. Bill would eliminate statute of limitations for criminal cases and open a two year window allowing victims to file civil lawsuits even if their statute of limitations expired. Bill how goes to Senate
— Aaron Martin (@WPXIAaronMartin) September 25, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY: The push to reform Pennsylvania's statute of limitations laws is underway in Harrisburg.
On Monday, the House of Representatives is expected to pass a bill that would remove the criminal statute of limitations and open a two-year window for victims to file civil lawsuits against their alleged abusers.
The bill gained momentum after the grand jury report into sexual abuse at dioceses across Pennsylvania was released last month, and is also gaining support from victims of former U.S. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
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"It doesn't just happen in a Catholic Church, it doesn't just happen in sports. It happens all over the world for any reason people can come up with," Kayla Spicher, one of Nassar's victims, said.
These women came all the way from Michigan to support PA changing its statute of limitations laws for sex abuse cases. They were victims of Larry Nassar and want to help others get justice. Their story on Channel 11 News at 5https://t.co/7iGX0BfklH pic.twitter.com/HsRZ6YAxl2
— Aaron Martin (@WPXIAaronMartin) September 24, 2018
The civil window is already facing resistance from the Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania, who say the amount of lawsuits could bankrupt the church.
Spicher along with fellow victim Katie Lovellette and attorney Jamie White traveled from Michigan to Harrisburg to help push for changes to the statute of limitation laws in Pennsylvania.
"Our legislative efforts aren't designed to just deal with the grand jury report on the Catholic Church, it's across the board," Rep. Dan Miller, (D) Mt. Lebanon, said.
"We want to make sure the people that have had serious issues and have been violated are protected so we want to make sure that language is as tight as humanly possible," Rep. Aaron Bernstine, (R) Ellwood City, said.
HAPPENING NOW: A rally supporting an end to the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases is underway at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. Supporters want to end the criminal statute of limitations and open a two year window for victims in civil cases pic.twitter.com/tczz8B2kC6
— Aaron Martin (@WPXIAaronMartin) September 24, 2018
The bill is facing resistance from Catholic bishops who fear it will bankrupt the church.
But victims like Lovellette say they're willing to tell their story if it will help others.
“I have daughters. I have to show them by example how to stand up for what you believe in and help make change in the world,” she said.
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