Maryland Child Victims Act

Last updated
Maryland Child Victims Act
Seal of Maryland.svg
Maryland State Legislature
Full nameCivil Actions - Child Sexual Abuse - Definition, Damages, and Statute of Limitations
IntroducedNovember 16, 2022
House votedMarch 20, 2023 (132–2)
Senate votedMarch 23, 2023 (42–4)
Sponsor(s)
Governor Wes Moore
BillHB 1
Associated billsSB 686
Website Legislation
Status: Current legislation

The Maryland Child Victims Act is a law in the U.S. state of Maryland passed by the Maryland General Assembly during the 445th legislative session in 2023 and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore. It retroactively and prospectively repeals the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse lawsuits and raises the liability limits for a single plaintiff to $1.5 million for claims against private institutions. Its first version was introduced by former Democratic state senator James Brochin in 2007. Iterations of the proposal were put forth during the 425th, 435th, 436th, 437th, 439th, 441st, 442nd, and 445th legislative sessions.

Contents

Background

Legislative efforts to reform Maryland's statute of limitations for sexual abuse lawsuits started in 2015, and saw some success with the passing of a 2017 bill expanding the statute of limitations to until the victim turns 38 years old, but were largely limited by lobbying efforts by the Maryland Catholic Conference—a Catholic Church lobbying organization representing the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archdiocese of Washington, and the Diocese of Wilmington. [1] According to lobbying records analyzed by The Baltimore Banner , the dioceses have spent more than $1 million on lobbying efforts to disrupt these efforts since 2017, [2] including $200,000 toward hiring former lawmakers and government officials (most notably Robert Zirkin and former Martin O'Malley spokesperson Rick Abbruzzese) as lobbyists. [1]

In February 2019, following the Pennsylvania Attorney General's release of the report into the grand jury investigation of Catholic Church sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh reportedly hired Elizabeth Embry, the former chief of the attorney general's criminal division, to lead a probe of sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. [3] Archbishop William E. Lori confirmed in September 2018 that the archdiocese was under investigation by the state and said that it had given the attorney general more than 50,000 pages of internal documents dating back to 1965. [4] The Office of the Attorney General concluded its investigation on November 17, 2022, and later released a 456-page report identifying 600 victims of sexual abuse and accusing 158 Catholic priests, including 43 that were previously never publicly identified by the Archdiocese, of sexual abuse. [5] [6] [7]

Impact

Law firms and attorneys began advertising services to abuse survivors shortly after the bill was signed into law. [8] Lawsuits against the archdiocese as well as Maryland's juvenile justice system and school system were filed days after the Child Victims Act went into effect on October 1, 2023. [9] [10] [11]

Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy

The Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2023, citing the Child Victims Act and the "great number of lawsuits" that were expected to be filed against the archdiocese after the bill went into effect on October 1. [12] The bankruptcy filing was protested by church abuse victims, as bankruptcy proceedings automatically stopped civil proceedings against the archdiocese until an agreement is reached between church representatives and plaintiffs' attorneys. [9] Lawyers for the archdiocese said that parishes and schools would contribute funds to a larger settlement for sexual abuse survivors. [13]

In December 2023, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Michelle M. Harner ruled that child sexual abuse survivors could submit claims against the archdiocese in bankruptcy court. [14] More than 700 claims were filed against the archdiocese ahead of the May 31, 2024 deadline. [15] Archbishop William E. Lori attended bankruptcy hearings on May 20, 2024, to listen to victims testify about the sexual abuse committed by Catholic clergy. [16]

In November 2023, the Archdiocese of Washington filed a lawsuit challenging the Child Victims Act, arguing that the law violated the statute of repose provision in the 2017 bill. [17] Attorneys representing multiple victims of child sexual abuse from members of the Catholic clergy from the Washington archdiocese defended the law by arguing that the archdiocese's lawyers had misinterpreted prior precedents set by the Maryland Supreme Court on the legislature's ability to modify the statute of limitations. [18] Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown also defended the law in court, arguing that the court siding with the archdiocese "would be unprecedented and would go against the consensus of federal law and the reasoned opinions of many other states." [19] Prince George's County Circuit Court Judge Robin D. Gill ruled that the Maryland Child Victims Act was constitutional on March 6, 2024. [20] On April 1, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Jeannie E. Cho ruled that the law was unconstitutional, finding that it violated the Maryland Declaration of Rights; the ruling was appealed to the Maryland Supreme Court, [21] who agreed to hear the case on May 7, 2024, [22] later setting arguments for September 10. [15]

Legislative progress

1jim brochin.jpg
Eric M. Bromwell (2007).jpg
C. T. Wilson (53573693671).jpg
Iterations of the Child Victims Act were introduced by James Brochin, Eric Bromwell, and C. T. Wilson.

423rd session (2007)

The 2007 bill was introduced by state senator James Brochin of Baltimore County on February 2, 2008. [23] It was rejected by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee amid lobbying from the Maryland Catholic Conference. [24]

425th session (2008)

The 2008 bill was introduced by state delegate Eric M. Bromwell of Baltimore County on February 6, 2008. [25] Bromwell faced pushback from his alma mater, Calvert Hall College High School, whose president wrote school supporters that the bill could cause a "severe, perhaps fatal, decline in enrollment" by allowing for lawsuits against the school by former students who allege that they had been molested by two former priests who had taught at the school and had sexually harassed at least 14 victims, [26] [27] which led opponents, including Bromwell's grandmother, to overwhelm Bromwell's office with calls in opposition of the bill that caused Bromwell to withdraw the bill. [28]

435th session (2015)

The 2015 bill was introduced by state delegate C. T. Wilson of Charles County on February 26, 2015. It was referred to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, but never received a hearing. [29] During hearings on a similar bill introduced by state delegate Aruna Miller that would extend the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse lawsuits, Wilson testified to lawmakers about how he had been repeatedly raped and beaten by his adoptive father between ages 9 and 15, but never brought charges against his father and said that he had not realized he was a victim until he was 40 years old. [30] [31]

436th session (2016)

The 2016 bill was introduced by state senator Ronald N. Young of Frederick County on December 16, 2015, and by delegate Wilson on February 11, 2016. [32] [33] The bill did not advance out of the Judiciary Committee in either chamber following lobbying from the Maryland Catholic Conference. [34]

437th session (2017)

Governor Hogan signs House Bill 642 into law at the Government House on April 4, 2017 Governor Larry Hogan signs House Bill 642 (33029780674) (cropped).jpg
Governor Hogan signs House Bill 642 into law at the Government House on April 4, 2017

The 2017 bill was introduced by Wilson on February 1, 2017. [35] Following negotiations with the Maryland Catholic Conference and Judiciary Committee chair Joseph F. Vallario Jr., the bill was amended to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits until the victim turns 38 years old, but would make it more difficult for victims over 25 years old to win damages in civil lawsuits by requiring victims to prove negligence. [36] The amended bill unanimously passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on April 4, 2017. [37]

The amended bill also included a statute of repose provision that forbade the state from raising the maximum age above 38. [38] The provision was not intended to be a part of the bill and was not noticed until 2019, when state delegate Kathleen Dumais cited it while introducing an amendment to repeal the look back window provision from the Hidden Predator Act of 2019. It is not known who added the statute of repose provision to the bill, but Wilson attributes it to John Stierhoff, a Venable LLP lawyer who worked as a lobbyist for the Maryland Catholic Conference and was involved with negotiations on the amended bill. [39] Dumais' amendment would spark a debate among legislators on whether it would be constitutional to repeal the statute of repose. [40]

439th session (2019)

The 2019 bill, named the "Hidden Predator Act", was introduced by Wilson on February 7, 2019. [41] The bill would have repealed the statute of limitations and created a two-year look-back window for child sexual abuse victims who were unable to sue because of the statute of limitations. [42]

The bill passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a vote of 135–3 on March 18, 2019. [43] The bill then moved to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it faced bipartisan opposition from senators, including Michael Hough and Jill P. Carter; [44] the bill died in the Judiciary Committee after receiving a deadlocked 5–5 vote to advance it. [45] Shortly after this, the House Judiciary Committee amended Republican state senator Justin Ready's "Laura and Reid's Law" to extend the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse lawsuits until the victim turns 58 years old; [46] however, this amendment was removed by conference committee before the bill was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan. [47] [48] In February 2023, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown wrote in an advice letter that the Maryland General Assembly could amend the state's statute of repose to make exceptions for sexual abuse cases as the legislature had previously done for asbestos cases. [49]

441st session (2020)

The 2020 bill, again named the "Hidden Predator Act", was introduced by Wilson on February 5, 2020. The bill unanimously passed the House of Delegates, but never received a hearing in the Senate as the 2020 legislative session was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [50] [51]

442nd session (2021)

Former state senator Robert Zirkin notably testified against the 2021 bill. Robert Zirkin (May 2008).jpg
Former state senator Robert Zirkin notably testified against the 2021 bill.

The 2021 bill was introduced by delegate Wilson and state senator Shelly Hettleman of Baltimore County on September 30, 2020. [52] [53] During the hearing on the bill in February 2021, former Senate Judicial Proceedings chair Robert Zirkin (who had resigned before the start of the 2021 legislative session and soon after became a lobbyist for the Maryland Catholic Conference) testified against the bill, saying that Wilson and fellow negotiators made a deal with the Catholic Church to prevent legislators from further adjusting the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases in Maryland, which prompted the bill's opponents in the legislature to criticize Wilson and question his integrity. [54] Wilson withdrew the bill on March 16, 2021, saying that he believed removing his name from the bill would give it a better chance of passing that year. [55]

445th session (2023)

The 2023 bill was introduced by Wilson on November 16, 2022, and by state senator William C. Smith Jr. of Montgomery County on February 6, 2023. [56] [57] Although the Maryland Catholic Conference announced that it would support legislation to eliminate the statute of limitation on future cases of child sexual abuse, the lobbying organization said that it would continue to oppose bills providing a two-year "look back window" for survivors to file lawsuits alleging past abuse. [58] [59] The Child Victims Act contained such a provision and thus the organization was opposed to its passage. [60] According to lobbying records analyzed by The Baltimore Sun , the Maryland Catholic Conference spent $209,939 lobbying against the Child Victims Act from November 2022 to early May 2023. [61]

Advocates were more optimistic at the chances of the Child Victims Act becoming law this time around, as two of its biggest opponents—Robert Cassilly and Michael Hough—were no longer members of the Maryland General Assembly. [40] The bill gained additional momentum from the Attorney General's report on child sexual abuse in the archdiocese, [62] the Attorney General's Office changing its position on the constitutionality of the bill, [49] and the 2021 appointment of Will Smith as the chair of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. [63] Maryland Governor Wes Moore endorsed the Child Victims Act on March 3, 2023. [64]

House passage

The Child Victims Act was heard in the House Judicial Proceedings Committee on March 2, 2023, [65] and advanced to the House floor in a unanimous vote on March 29. It was heard on the House floor the following day, during which no attempts were made to amend the bill. [66] Although Republican state delegates continued to express concerns about the constitutionality of the bill, the House of Delegates voted 132–2 to pass the Child Victims Act on March 31, 2023, with William Valentine and William J. Wivell being the only delegates to vote against it. [67]

Senate passage

Map of the vote .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Democratic yea (34) Republican yea (8) Republican nay (5) Maryland Child Victims Act Senate vote.svg
Map of the vote
  Democratic yea (34)
  Republican yea (8)
  Republican nay (5)

On January 20, 2023, William C. Smith Jr. announced that the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee review child sexual abuse laws in Maryland. [68] The Judicial Proceedings Committee voted 10–1 to advance the bill to the Senate floor on March 10, with only Republican state senator Chris West voting against it. West led opposition against the bill, which he believed was unconstitutional and would be overturned by the Maryland Supreme Court. [69] [70] The bill was heard on the Senate floor on May 14, during which state senator Justin Ready introduced multiple amendments over concerns that state courts would exempt private companies, but not the state government, from paying settlements; all amendments were rejected in near party-line votes. [71]

On March 17, 2023, the Maryland Senate voted 42–5 to pass the Child Victims Act. [70] The House crossfile version of the bill received a 42–4 vote on April 7, 2023. [60] Voting against the bill were West, Ready, Jack Bailey, Mary Beth Carozza, and Johnny Ray Salling. [72]

Signing into law

Governor Moore signing the bill into law at the Government House on April 11, 2023 Bill Signing (52812281515).jpg
Governor Moore signing the bill into law at the Government House on April 11, 2023

On April 11, 2023, Governor Wes Moore signed the Child Victims Act into law in his first bill signing ceremony as governor. [73] Wilson spoke at the event, where he thanked House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and House Judicial Proceedings Committee chair Luke Clippinger for helping get the bill passed [74] and adding that he "never thought God would let me see this moment." [75]

Legislative history

General AssemblyShort titleBill number(s)Date introducedSponsor(s)# of cosponsorsLatest status
423rd session SB 575 February 2, 2007Sen. James Brochin (D-Baltimore County)0Rejected by Judicial Proceedings Committee
425th session HB 858 February 6, 2008Del. Eric Bromwell (D-Baltimore County)5Referred to Judiciary Committee; withdrawn by sponsor
435th session HB 1214 February 26, 2015Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)0Referred to Rules and Executive Nominations Committee
HB 725 February 13, 2015Del. Aruna Miller (D-Montgomery)1Referred to the Judiciary Committee
436th session HB 1215 February 12, 2016Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)0Referred to the Judiciary Committee
SB 69 July 6, 2015Sen. Ronald N. Young (D-Frederick)0Referred to the Judicial Proceedings Committee
437th session HB 641 February 1, 2017Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)17Rejected by Judicial Proceedings Committee
HB 642 February 1, 2017Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)6Passed the House of Delegates (140–0)
Passed the Senate (47–0)
Signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan
SB 505 February 1, 2017Sen. Delores G. Kelley (D-Baltimore County)27Passed the Senate (47–0)
Passed the House of Delegates (139–0)
Signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan
439th sessionHidden Predator Act of 2019 HB 687 February 7, 2019Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)13Passed the House of Delegates (135–3)
Rejected by Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
441st sessionHidden Predator Act of 2020 HB 974 February 5, 2020Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)11Passed the House of Delegates (127–0)
442nd session HB 263 September 30, 2020Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)0Referred to the Judicial Proceedings Committee; withdrawn by sponsor
SB 134 September 30, 2020Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County)4Referred to the Judicial Proceedings Committee
445th sessionThe Child Victims Act of 2023 HB 1 November 16, 2022Del. C. T. Wilson (D-Charles)16Passed the House of Delegates (132–2)
Passed the Senate (42–4)
Signed into law by Governor Wes Moore
SB 686 February 6, 2023Sen. Will Smith (D-Montgomery)0Passed the Senate (42–5)
Passed the House of Delegates (133–0)
Signed into law by Governor Wes Moore

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References

  1. 1 2 Sanderlin, Lee O. (December 8, 2022). "Catholic church paid Maryland lobbyists more than $200K to help limit, prevent abuse lawsuits". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  2. ↑ Prudente, Tim; Wood, Pamela (December 19, 2022). "Catholic Church in Maryland concedes to some reforms about priest abuse". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  3. ↑ DePuyt, Bruce (February 27, 2019). "Frosh Taps Elizabeth Embry to Probe Sex Abuse Allegations in Baltimore Archdiocese". Maryland Matters . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  4. ↑ Knezevich, Alison (September 24, 2021). "Years into attorney general investigation of Maryland's Catholic Church, abuse survivors wonder where it stands". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  5. ↑ O'Neill, Madeleine (November 17, 2022). "Report names 158 Catholic priests accused of abuse after investigation into Archdiocese of Baltimore". Maryland Daily Record. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  6. ↑ Prudente, Tim; Liz, Bowie (November 17, 2022). "Maryland AG's investigation of 'pervasive' Catholic Church abuse documents 158 priests, more than 600 victims". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ Pitts, Jonathan M. (November 17, 2022). "Maryland AG report: 'No parish was safe' from 'rampant sexual abuse' in Baltimore's Catholic archdiocese". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mann, Alex (May 1, 2023). "Billboards and banner ads: Lawyers seek Maryland child sex abuse survivors for forthcoming flood of suits". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Ford, William J. (October 4, 2023). "Survivors file lawsuits as Child Victims Act goes into effect, but how many more to come remains unknown". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  10. ↑ Pitts, Jonathan M. (October 2, 2023). "Sex abuse lawsuits filed under Maryland's new Child Victims Act begin to stack up". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  11. ↑ Longo de Freitas, Clara (October 2, 2023). "Key School alumnae sue over alleged child sexual abuse in 1970s". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  12. ↑ Graham, Ruth (September 29, 2023). "Baltimore Archdiocese, Bracing for More Abuse Claims, Files for Bankruptcy". The New York Times . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  13. ↑ Sanderlin, Lee O. (October 3, 2023). "Catholic schools, parishes to pay survivors as part of Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  14. ↑ Mann, Alex (December 18, 2023). "Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy: Survivors to have until May 31 to submit sex abuse claims". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Segelbaum, Dylan (June 4, 2024). "More than 700 claims submitted in Archdiocese of Baltimore bankruptcy before key deadline". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Pitts, Jonathan M. (May 20, 2024). "Clergy abuse survivors testify in Catholic church bankruptcy case: 'Do you see me now?'". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  17. ↑ Mann, Alex (November 15, 2023). "Maryland's landmark Child Victims Act faces first known constitutional challenge, from Archdiocese of Washington". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  18. ↑ Mann, Alex (December 8, 2023). "Victims lawyers defend Maryland's Child Victims Act following Washington archdiocese challenge". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  19. ↑ Mann, Alex (January 10, 2024). "Maryland AG defends Child Victims Act in constitutional challenge by Catholic Archdiocese of Washington". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  20. ↑ Mann, Alex (March 6, 2024). "Judge finds Maryland Child Victims Act constitutional; Catholic archdiocese to appeal". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  21. ↑ Mann, Alex (April 1, 2024). "Montgomery County judge rules Maryland's Child Victims Act unconstitutional". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  22. ↑ Segelbaum, Dylan (May 7, 2024). "Maryland Supreme Court agrees to take up constitutionality of Child Victims Act of 2023". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  23. ↑ Lazarick, Len (March 17, 2007). "Sex abuse victims can't wait to sue". The Washington Examiner . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  24. ↑ Pash, Barbara (February 18, 2008). "Bill Will Extend Child Sex Abuse Civil Suits". Baltimore Jewish Times . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  25. ↑ "House Bill 858". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ Wheeler, Timothy (February 7, 2008). "Bill would make it easier to file sex-abuse lawsuits". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 20, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ Green, Andy (February 19, 2008). "More fallout from Bromwell's child sex abuse bill". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  28. ↑ Cox, Erin (March 27, 2015). "In hope of helping others, delegate reveals abuse as child". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Legislation - HB1214". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  30. ↑ Cox, Erin (March 27, 2015). "In hope of helping others, delegate reveals abuse as child". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Legislation - HB0725". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Legislation - HB1215". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Legislation - SB0069". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  34. ↑ Dvorak, Petula (April 7, 2016). "A Maryland lawmaker raped as a child can't get his bill for sex assault survivors passed". The Washington Post . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Legislation - HB0641". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  36. ↑ Cox, Erin; Wood, Pamela (March 16, 2017). "Maryland delegate's effort to allow child abuse lawsuits clears hurdle". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  37. ↑ Duncan, Ian; Wood, Pamela (April 4, 2017). "Hogan signs bill giving sexual abuse victims longer to file suits, ending a delegate's quest". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  38. ↑ Cox, Erin; Moyer, Justin Wm (April 1, 2019). "When Maryland gave abuse victims more time to sue, it may have also protected institutions, including the Catholic Church". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  39. ↑ Prudente, Tim (February 14, 2023). "How the Catholic Church and allies altered a bill to protect it from sex abuse lawsuits". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  40. 1 2 Ford, William J. (January 20, 2023). "Child sexual abuse survivors' fight for expanded civil litigation could hinge on legal technicality". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  41. ↑ "Legislation - HB0687". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  42. ↑ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 29, 2019). "Delegate, Survivors Push to End Limitations on Child Sex Abuse Claims". Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  43. ↑ Wood, Pamela (March 18, 2019). "Maryland House of Delegates OKs bill lifting age limits on filing child sexual abuse lawsuits". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  44. ↑ Gaines, Danielle E. (April 5, 2019). "Emotional Wilson Reflects on Failed Predator Bill". Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  45. ↑ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (April 3, 2019). "Bill to lift limits on child sex abuse lawsuits in Maryland fails". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  46. ↑ Gaines, Danielle E. (April 6, 2019). "With Maneuver, House Panel Tries to Move Laura & Reid's Law and Hidden Predator Act Together". Maryland Matters . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  47. ↑ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (April 6, 2019). "Maryland lawmakers use unusual maneuver to revive bill on child abuse lawsuits". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  48. ↑ Harrison, Don (May 13, 2019). "Governor Hogan signs Laura and Reid's Law". WMAR-TV . Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  49. 1 2 Ford, William J. (February 24, 2023). "Maryland attorney general says he would 'in good faith' defend law to lift statute of limitations on sexual abuse claims". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  50. ↑ "Legislation - HB0974". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  51. ↑ Harrison, Don (March 18, 2020). "2020 Legislative Session comes to an end early after coronavirus outbreak". WMAR-TV . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  52. ↑ "Legislation - HB0263". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Legislation - SB0134". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  54. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (February 5, 2021). "Zirkin Returns to Old Committee to Testify Against Wilson's Child Sex Abuse Bill". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  55. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (March 16, 2021). "Del. Wilson Withdraws Controversial Bill to Alter the Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Legislation - HB0001". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  57. ↑ "Legislation - SB0686". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  58. ↑ Pitts, Jonathan M. (December 19, 2022). "Maryland Catholic Conference will support bill to eliminate statute of limitations, but only for future cases of abuse". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  59. ↑ Pitts, Jonathan M. (December 20, 2022). "Survivor groups slam Maryland Catholic Church statement on statute of limitations reform for failing to serve past victims". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  60. 1 2 Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (April 7, 2023). "Gov. Wes Moore 'eager' to sign Child Victims Act, approved less than an hour after church abuse report's release". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  61. ↑ Janesch, Sam (July 27, 2023). "Here's where lobbyists tried to influence some of Maryland's biggest policy changes in 2023". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  62. ↑ O'Neill, Madeleine (April 11, 2023). "Moore signs Child Victims Act, making it easier for sex abuse survivors to sue". Maryland Daily Record . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  63. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (June 5, 2023). "Ex-Maryland state Sen. Robert 'Bobby' Zirkin advertises legal assistance under Child Victims Act, which he once testified against". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  64. ↑ Sanderlin, Lee O. (March 3, 2023). "With Gov. Wes Moore's support, survivors hope this is the year the Child Victims Act finally passes". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  65. ↑ Ford, William J. (March 3, 2023). "Wilson leads emotional testimony from child sexual abuse survivors, advocates in House committee". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  66. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (March 30, 2023). "Child Victims Act receives preliminary approval on Maryland House floor: 'It has taken a long time, so let's not wait any longer'". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  67. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (March 31, 2023). "Child Victims Act passes the Maryland House of Delegates, nears governor's desk". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  68. ↑ Sanderlin, Lee O. (January 20, 2023). "Maryland lawmakers consider bill that would remove statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  69. ↑ Ford, William J. (March 11, 2023). "After years of defeat, Senate committee gives near unanimous recommendation to move child sexual abuse bill to full chamber". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  70. 1 2 Sanderlin, Lee O. (March 17, 2023). "Maryland Senate overwhelmingly passes Child Victims Act". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  71. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (March 14, 2023). "Bill to lift limitations on child sexual abuse claims clears Senate hurdle as AG prepares release of clergy abuse report". Maryland Matters . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  72. ↑ "Voting Record - SB0686" (PDF). Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  73. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah; Sanderlin, Lee O. (April 11, 2023). "Lawmakers, advocates celebrate Child Victims Act being signed into law by Gov. Wes Moore". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  74. ↑ Tansill-Suddath, Callan (April 11, 2023). "Gov. Wes Moore signs dozens of newly-passed bills into law". The Baltimore Banner . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  75. ↑ Bush, Matt (April 11, 2023). "Moore signs into law ability for child sex abuse survivors to file civil lawsuits at any age". WYPR . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
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