Legislation that would allow victims of sexual abuse as children an indefinite period to file lawsuits against their abusers was killed in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday in an 8-2 vote.
Sen. James Brochin, D-Baltimore County, sponsored the bill (SB 575) to make it easier for adults who recognize their abuse later in life to file civil suits. Victims have until they are 25 to pursue lawsuits, though there is no statute of limitations on filing criminal charges for child sexual abuse.
The legislation was opposed by representatives of the Catholic bishops. Brochin offered amendments to limit damage awards to $250,000, but those amendments failed to pass.
Brochin had sought to delay consideration of the bill after he had indirectly heard of Catholic moves to set up a victims? compensation fund, but the other committee members preferred to kill the bill.
“I realize what?s going to happen on this bill,” Brochin said. He said he realized the other members wanted to “give the archdiocese one more year” to explore remedies.
