Amendment to sex-abuse bill backs 15-year limit on civil suits
The House on Wednesday amended House Bill 1088 so that civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse of a child could not be brought against private institutions outside of the 15-year statute of limitations in current law.
The bill, which sparked criticism from representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, now lifts only the limits on criminal prosecutions for past cases of sexual abuse of children.
Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, said the bill protects children by repealing the criminal side of the statute of limitations.
The bill faces a final vote in the House before going to the Senate for review.
House Bill 1090, which is pending in the House, would lift the time limits for lawsuits against public and private institutions in cases of sexual abuse of a child.
Tancredo may offer campaign cash to immigration fight
Congressman Tom Tancredo may donate money to the campaign for a constitutional amendment limiting state services for illegal immigrants in Colorado, according to his re-election campaign.
But first the Republican from Littleton needs an opinion from the Federal Election Commission on how much his political committee can give without forcing FEC regulations on the state Defend Colorado Now campaign, Tancredo for Congress treasurer Jon Ponder said.
“He strongly supports the initiative and he would like to help,” Ponder said.
The FEC has until this spring to rule whether Tancredo can donate up to $50,000 without triggering FEC oversight of the state committee. It is unlikely Tancredo would donate quite that much, Ponder said.
Currently, Defend Colorado Now is regulated only by the state, as an issue committee.
Seat-belt bill drives on
House lawmakers on Wednesday voted 33-32 to give final approval to a bill that would allow police officers to pull over drivers who aren’t wearing a seat belt.
Currently, not wearing a seat belt is a secondary offense, which means it is illegal but motorists cannot be stopped for it.
For the second day in a row, lawmakers made impassioned pleas on both sides of the issue.
Opponents argued it would lead to racial profiling. The state should not pass it just because it means more federal money, they said.
Supporters argued the bill would save lives and money.
Democratic Rep. Anne McGihon’s voice cracked when she told the chamber that she was involved in two serious accidents, but had worn her seat belt.
“But for my seat belt, I wouldn’t be talking to you today. Vote yes,” she said.
