Pennsylvania House Approves Two-Year Window for Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed two bills sponsored by Rep. Nate Davidson that would create a two-year window allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits even after the statute of limitations has expired. One bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval, while the other seeks to achieve the same outcome through a change in state law. These measures are a response to the 2018 grand jury report exposing widespread abuse within the Catholic Church and aim to provide survivors an opportunity for justice long denied due to existing legal time bars. Both bills now face consideration in the GOP-controlled Senate, where the constitutional amendment has a higher chance of approval. The legislation has received strong bipartisan support in the House, with Democrats voting overwhelmingly in favor and Republicans more divided. Davidson emphasized that the bills focus on survivors' rights rather than targeting any institution or individual.