Pa. considers changing age limit in child sex abuse suits

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Legislation in Pennsylvania to give victims of child sexual abuse more time to sue is taking another step forward.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's vote Tuesday narrowed portions of a bill that passed the House overwhelmingly in April, but broadened it in other parts.

It comes amid Roman Catholic Church scandals in Pennsylvania and a renewed push in states to relax laws that prevent some child sexual abuse victims from suing for damages.

Senators removed a House provision to give victims the ability to sue, even if they're older than the current legal age limit of 30. Senate proponents of removing it say the House provision violates longtime Pennsylvania constitutional case law.

However, senators went farther than the House bill in removing any time limit for a victim to sue the perpetrator. The House had set it at 50.