Bill > HB1947

This bill amends Pennsylvania law to extend the time limits for bringing certain civil actions and to clarify exceptions to governmental immunity. Specifically, it increases the time a victim of childhood sexual abuse has to file a civil lawsuit, extending it to 32 years after turning 18, and also creates an unlimited time period to sue the abuser, those who conspired with them, or those who knew about the abuse and failed to report it. The bill also removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting certain serious crimes, including rape, sexual assault, and incest, if the victim was under 18 at the time of the offense, and clarifies that these offenses can be prosecuted at any time. Furthermore, it modifies the rules for when the Commonwealth and local government agencies can be held liable for sexual abuse, requiring gross negligence for such claims. These changes generally apply to causes of action that accrue on or after the bill's effective date, with a provision that existing barred actions will not be revived.