(WWJ) - State lawmakers are considering a bill that supporters say would help more sexual assault survivors get justice.
The bill, called the “Justice for Survivors” legislation, is currently in the full Michigan House of Representatives after being passed by the House Criminal Justice Committee.
The sponsor of the legislation, State Representative Julie Brixie (D-73rd District), says it would extend the statute of limitations, creating a two-year window for survivors whose statute of limitations has already expired.
The bill would also extend the age of a survivor in civil court from 28 to 52. Brixie said the average age for a childhood sexual assault survivor to come forward is 52.
Brixie said this bill is needed to help protect survivors, noting it's importance following the investigations into Larry Nassar at MSU and Robert Anderson at U-M, both of whom were sports doctors.
“The reforms they did were so terrible that just two years later, another Big 10 sports doctor was uncovered and found to have abused even more people at the University of Michigan,” Brixie said about previous legislation. “Those folks are still out there without access to the justice system. They can’t go to court and have their case heard in court.”
Officials say the Larry Nassar case prompted a change in the statute of limitations for sexual assault survivors but it did not do enough to protect survivors.
If the legislation is passed by the House, it will move on the Michigan Senate.