Pennsylvania House To Vote On Child Sex Abuse Statute Of Limitations Bill

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A bill that would give victims of child sex abuse more time to seek justice is now teed up for a vote in the state House this week.

The House Monday debated amendments to a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions, and would give victims of child sex abuse until the age of 50, instead of the current age of 30, to bring civil cases.

The House passed one amendment that would make that extension for civil cases retroactive. Republican Thomas Murt of Philadelphia and Montgomery County offered another amendment that would suspend the civil statute of limitations to create a two-year window for past victims to sue.

"I resent anyone saying that this issue is being driven by special interests, by trial lawyers," Murt said. "This issue is being driven by victims."

Murt, however, withdrew his amendment providing for a window to sue, saying he hopes it will help get the bill quickly to Senate, and that the issue will be addressed there.