Pennsylvania House Passes Bills Allowing Child Abuse Survivors Lawsuits

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed two significant bills aimed at allowing survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abusers beyond the state's current statute of limitations. House Bill 462 creates a two-year window for survivors to file civil lawsuits, while House Bill 464 initiates the process to amend the state constitution to enable this change through a voter referendum. Both bills passed with Democratic support and bipartisan backing, though a majority of Republicans opposed them, citing concerns about potential liability for organizations such as churches and nonprofits. The legislation is a response to the 2018 grand jury report exposing decades of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in Pennsylvania. Lawmakers like Rep. Nate Davidson emphasize the importance of providing survivors access to the courts, trusting the judicial system to fairly adjudicate claims. The bills now move to the Republican-controlled Senate for further consideration, with the constitutional amendment viewed as having a better chance of passing due to legal challenges surrounding statutory changes.