Pa. agency bungles planned vote on abuse law
HARRISBURG — Some victims of child sexual abuse might have to wait two years or more to pursue legal claims because of a major bureaucratic bungle that prompted angry denunciations across the political spectrum Monday and the resignation of Pennsylvania's top state elections official.
A proposed state constitutional amendment allowing lawsuits over decades-old claims — prompted by investigations into child sexual abuse allegations inside Pennsylvania's Roman Catholic diocese — wasn't advertised as required and so cannot appear on the ballot this spring, the Wolf administration disclosed Monday.
Pennsylvania's Department of State called it “simple human error” and apologized, saying the mistake was discovered late last week.
As a result, no statewide referendum to add it to the state constitution may be possible before 2023, and Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar is leaving her job Friday. Both the state inspector general and the Legislature will look into the matter.“The delay caused by this human error will be heartbreaking for thousands of survivors of childhood sexual assault, advocates and legislators, and I join the Department of State in apologizing to you,” Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said in a statement. “I share your anger and frustration that this happened, and I stand with you in your fight for justice.”The admission followed years of battles in the Legislature.The proposed constitutional amendment would give now-adult victims of childhood sexual abuse a two-year reprieve — a so-called window — from time limits in state law that otherwise bar them from suing perpetrators or institutions that may have covered it up.Many lost the right to sue when they turned 18 or were young adults, depending on state law at the time. Under the proposed amendment, they would have two years to sue over their alleged abuse, no matter how long ago it occurred.House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, proposed fast-tracking the constitutional amendment through an emergency provision that requires two-thirds votes of each chamber.Republicans bitterly chastised Boockvar and called for investigations, but said it was too early to determine whether there is an avenue to avoid a two-year wait.
