CHARELSTON, W.Va. – A bill introduced Monday would place limitations on some people’s ability to file civil lawsuits relating to their childhood sexual abuse.
House Bill 3516 looks to add the language “excepting actions brought against those having insurance coverage pursuant to Chapter 29, Article 12 of this code” to follow statements where the current code lists the amount of time a person has to file a civil lawsuit regarding sexual abuse that occurred as a child.
The insurance the introduced language refers to is BRIM the state’s insurance agency.
The bill explicitly states its intentions:
“The purpose of this bill is to amend the limit of liability insurance provided through the Board of Risk and Insurance Management, the time period within which suits must be filed, and to immunize state employees from personal liability except for orders of restitution by a court following conviction of a crime.”
The bill would shrink the window from 18 years to 2 years after turning 18 if the alleged perpetrator works for an institution covered by the state insurance.
The bill also also shields state employees from being liable for restitution in cases involving sexual abuse unless they themselves are convicted of a crime.
The bill passed its first reading yesterday and will have its second reading today.
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