New Jersey Bill to Toss Limits on Abuse Lawsuits Stalls

A bill that would get rid of statutes of limitation for lawsuits over child sex abuse has stalled in New Jersey’s Senate.

The Senate had been expected to vote on the measure Monday. But Sen. Joseph Vitale, one of the bill’s sponsors, told The Star-Ledger of Newark that he was unsure if the bill would pass because four Democratic legislators were absent.

The bill would change existing law that gives alleged victims two years to sue after they realize they were abused. It would apply to perpetrators of the abuse and institutions that were negligent in allowing it to occur.

The measure has moved out of committee in the Assembly, but has not yet been considered by the full chamber.