Bill Supported by Seitz Passes House Unanimously

A bill supported by a Lakes Area Legislator passes the house unanimously last week.

Rep. Brian Seitz of Branson helped sponsor the legislation that would extend the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil claims from age 31 to age 41. 

The House Committee Substitute for House Bill 367 creates a cause of action for vulnerable victims of sexual abuse according to a press release from Seitz. 

The bill now goes before the State Senate for consideration. 

The complete release can be found below:

Rep. Brian H. Seitz, R-Branson, celebrated the House's passage of a bill that would extend the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil claims from age 31 to age 41. 
 
The House Committee Substitute for House Bill 367 creates a cause of action for vulnerable victims of sexual abuse. "Sexual abuse" is defined in the bill and includes certain sexual offenses included in Chapters 566 and 573, RSMo. "Vulnerable victim" is defined as a person who was disabled, a minor, or both at the time he or she was a victim of sexual abuse. The bill allows a vulnerable victim to bring a civil action against any party who committed sexual abuse against the victim or whose tortious conduct caused the vulnerable victim to be a victim of sexual abuse. The action must be brought prior to the victim turning 41, or within three years of the date the plaintiff discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, that the injury or illness was caused by childhood sexual abuse, whichever later occurs.

"I was glad to see this bill unanimously pass the House, but this isn't the end of the process. I had to fight overwhelming odds to get this bill heard on the floor this year, but the fight was worth it to help these survivors of childhood sexual abuse," Seitz said. "Lobbyists and special interests used this legislation as a bargaining chip to gain a foothold in other negotiations, which is why it was delayed from being heard until so late in session. The fact that good legislation, that supports and protects our most vulnerable, can be curtailed by the lobbyists that control much of what goes on in the Capitol, should be concerning to all Missourians. No doubt, the Senate will refuse to hear this bill before adjournment, but we have taken a strong first step in the movement to provide victims with the restitution they deserve. This will be the first bill I file next session, and I won't stop until I see it get through the Legislature and to the governor's desk."

The HCS for HB 367 passed the House on Friday, May 5, by a vote of 150-0. 

"The overwhelming vote total proves that the House of Representatives can and does occasionally push back against the outside influence of lobbyists and special interest groups," Seitz continued. "The bipartisan vote shows that this is a good bill, worthy of passage, and it should signal to leadership that it should be heard and passed early next session. I am not interested in playing political games when it comes to the lives of Missourians who have been affected by childhood sexual abuse. They deserve better from their elected officials, and I'm committed to making sure we see this bill through and deliver a win for these individuals whose voices have been silenced in the civil judicial process for far too long."