DC Archdiocese Sues To Block MD Child Victims Act

Washington DC’s CBS radio affiliate reports:

A Maryland law that did away with time limits for legal action by survivors of childhood sexual abuse is being challenged by the Archdiocese of Washington. The Maryland Child Victims Act passed in the state’s General Assembly and went into effect Oct. 1. The bill was a yearslong effort by advocates for survivors who worked for the passage of similar measures in Annapolis.

Previously, Maryland’s law allowed victims to take legal action until they turned 38 years old. After that point, something called the “statute of repose” would extend immunity to potential defendants. Attorneys for the Archdiocese argued that the protections provided by the statute of repose “by its very nature, cannot be retroactively ‘repealed’ and the legislature’s effort to do so was a clear violation of the due process.”

Read the full article.

Photo: DC Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who in 2020 was elevated by Pope Francis as the first black US Cardinal. The DC archdiocese includes much of Maryland.

A Maryland law that did away with time limits for legal action by survivors of childhood sexual abuse is being challenged by the Archdiocese of Washington.https://t.co/oYCnW0zmzz

— WTOP (@WTOP) November 17, 2023