Dear Editor:
I am opposed to S2405, which ends the timetable to bring sexual abuse charges. While this legislation is aimed mainly at the Catholic Church; it is also leaves our state/county institutions and public schools at risk.
A former student can allege he/she was abused 20 or 30 years ago. There will be no way to assess the accuracy of some of these charges but Public School Districts will find it easier to pay a settlement then seek expensive counsel. These payments will fall on the shoulders of taxpayers, not private institutions.
This bill makes it easier to sue, but is that fair especially if the person that is charged is deceased? Our state allows judges to be gatekeepers, to decide if old charges deserve merit if those charges pass the deadline. They should continue to have this right. This bill opens the doorway where lawyers will advertise, “If you are a victim of sexual abuse, call…” Medical malpractice claims have nearly bankrupted the medical profession; this bill may do the same thing to public institutions.
Unfortunately, we live in a time where some parents use the threat of sexual abuse to gain custody of children. If this bill passes, I urge teachers to carry insurance because 20 or 30 years down the road, they might be a target of sexual abuse.
Yvonne Balcer