State Legislation Related to Church Sex Abuse Crisis

Tuesday, March 4, 2003 - The Associated Press

Here is a description of measures state lawmakers have drafted in response to the sex abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Church:

Arizona: Would extend statute of limitations for civil lawsuits alleging
child sex abuse.

Florida: Would extend statute of limitations for civil lawsuits, with the
possibility of eliminating the statute of limitations for two years.

Illinois: Would eliminate the statute of limitations in criminal cases if
offender is a member of the clergy. Would eliminate statute of limitations
for civil lawsuits and tightens requirements for clergy to report child
sex abuse to civil authorities.

Maryland: Would extend statute of limitations for civil lawsuits.

Minnesota: Would extend statute of limitations for civil lawsuits.

New Hampshire: Would require clergy to report child sex abuse to civil
authorities even if the information is disclosed in confessional. Also,
would extend statute of limitations on civil lawsuits.

New York: Would extend statute of limitations on civil lawsuits and
tightens requirements for clergy to report child sex abuse to civil
authorities.

Ohio: Would extend statute of limitations on civil lawsuits.

Pennsylvania: Would eliminate statute of limitations on criminal
prosecution of child sex abuse.

South Carolina: Would tighten requirements for clergy to report child sex
abuse to civil authorities.

Wisconsin: Among other changes, would extend statute of limitations for
criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits over child sex abuse, and would
tighten requirements for clergy to report child sex abuse to civil
authorities.

Washington: Would extend statute of limitations on civil lawsuits and
tightens requirements for clergy to report child sex abuse to civil
authorities.