Law will end time limit on Maryland child sex abuse lawsuits

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A bill signed by Gov. Wes Moore will end Maryland’s statute of limitations for when lawsuits can be filed against institutions for child sexual abuse.

The governor signed the bill Tuesday, less than a week after a state report revealed the scope of abuse spanning 80 years and accused church leaders of decades of coverups. Under current law, people in Maryland who say they were sexually abused as children can’t sue after they reach the age of 38.

The governor says “there is no statute of limitations on the hurt that endures for decades after someone is assaulted.”

PHOTO INFO: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signs a bill to end the state’s statute of limitations for when lawsuits can be filed against institutions for child sexual abuse during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. Senate President Bill Ferguson is seated left, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones is seated right. Standing from right are Del. Luke Clippinger, Sen. Will Smith and Del. C.T. Wilson, the bill’s House sponsor who is standing behind the governor. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)

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