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Speaker Calls Window For Sex Abuse Lawsuits 'A Compromise'

Matt Rourke
/
AP

The Republican speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives says his chamber is poised to take up changes to the state's limits on child sexual abuse lawsuits, predicting a 2-year window to allow victims with older claims to sue would pass.

Speaker Mike Turzai on Wednesday called the 2-year window "a compromise" compared to a different proposal to entirely eliminate limits of lawsuits for victims of all ages.

Last month's sweeping grand jury report on child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church also recommended a 2-year window.

Pennsylvania law currently requires victims to sue before they turn 30 and the Senate's top-ranking Republican, President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, contends that retroactive changes aren't constitutional.

Scarnati supports a church-endowed victims' compensation fund.

The chambers begin short fall sessions Sept. 24.