Sex crimes bill stalls in panel

Supporters of a bill to end the statute of limitations for child sex crimes said Tuesday that their efforts are now ensnared in a state Senate committee.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane, passed the state House 98-0. Yet supporters can’t get the bill to the full floor of the Senate.

The bill would mirror those that have been passed during the past decade in other states. Currently victims of child sex abuse must make a criminal complaint before they turn 29 years old.

Supporters of the bill spoke to the media Tuesday, concerned that if the bill doesn’t reach the Senate floor by the end of the week, it will be dead.

They include many who were victimized by clergy decades ago, and others who were abused by a parent, a relative or others. Many contend they are not able or willing to confront their abusers until later in life.

Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin testified in favor of the bill earlier, recounting how she was raped by her father but unable to confront the abuse until later in life.

Erasing the statute of limitations for new cases has been before the Legislature on multiple occasions during the past decade.

Opponents of the bill have said erasing the statute of limitations is too far-reaching, would present prosecutors with old allegations that are difficult to prove, and may encourage victims to wait to tell police until years later.

The bill now rests with Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, who heads the Senate’s Human Services and Corrections Committee.