State Senate Republicans have killed a proposal which would have allowed an emergency process to amend the state Constitution and give victims of child sexual abuse a two-year window in which to file civil lawsuits.
Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward announced Monday the Wolf administration's failure to advertise a proposed constitutional amendment doesn't justify using the emergency amendment process.
"The Pennsylvania Senate agrees that all victims of childhood sexual abuse should have the ability to face their abusers.
"Last session, the Pennsylvania Senate passed a constitutional amendment to address the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse. The Wolf Administration dropped the ball and failed to initiate the public review process, which gives public notice by clearly explaining the ballot question. As a result, they are now asking the Pennsylvania General Assembly to elevate this matter to emergency status to include on the May primary ballot.
"After careful consideration, it has been determined by the majority that this matter does not meet the emergency status criteria and does not correct the failure by the Wolf Administration as it still does not properly vet this matter with the public," she said.
She says the Republican majority plans to start over, using the conventional amendment process.
"The dereliction of duty by the Wolf administration has forced the Pennsylvania Senate to reset the clock on the constitutional amendment," said Ward.
The Department of State announced six weeks ago it had failed to arrange the mandatory advertisement for a conventional constitutional amendment last year.
Then Secretary of State Kathy Bookvar resigned over the matter in February of this year.
