House Passes Rep. Steve Simon's Child Victims Act

St. Louis Park and Hopkins Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 46B) has successfully pushed a bill through the state House that would remove the statute of limitations on sexual abuse cases.

The House passed the Child Victims Act on a 115-7 vote Wednesday. A companion bill in the Senate—authored by Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 46), whose district includes Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth and St. Louis Park—is still awaiting a floor vote. If it passes, a conference committee will take up the House and Senate versions of the bills to iron out differences.

“This is a great day for justice for survivors of sexual abuse,” a news release from Simon’s office quoted the state representative. “Today’s vote signaled a strong bipartisan appetite for much-needed change in our current law, which is one of the worst in the country.”

The Minnesota State Supreme Court has interpreted existing state law to mean that the statute of limitations on civil sexual abuse lawsuits closes by the time the plaintiff turns 24 years old.

The Child Victims Act would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits stemming from sexual abuse going forward. It would also allow a three-year window for people to file sexual abuse cases that are currently barred under existing law.

“At the end of the day, our primary focus needs to be on providing meaningful relief and the opportunity for victims of sexual abuse to seek justice,” the release quoted Simon.

The bill would not affect the statute of limitation in criminal cases.