Session Daily: Reporting sexual abuse

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Reporting sexual abuse

A bill that gained House approval May 13 would extend the statute of limitations for claiming damages from cases of childhood sexual abuse, but only if the abuse is reported to law enforcement.

On a 126-4 vote, legislators adopted language proposed by Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville), replacing a different proposal that passed in the Senate.

Under the bill (HF386/SF575*), victims of childhood sexual assault would have until age 26 to sue their abuser in civil court as long as they reported the abuse while they were children. If they report abuse as adults, they would have five years after the date they report or until age 26, whichever occurs first.

The bill next returns to the Senate, which will vote to concur with the House changes or send the bill to a conference committee. Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite Falls) sponsors the bill in the Senate.