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ACLU and others raise concerns about “child protection” bills

Mark Goebel
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https://flic.kr/p/59nwuF

Bills to lift time limits to file sex assault lawsuits have cleared a state Senate committee.

Survivors of the former MSU sports doctors abuse were among those who testified for the bills. The legislation would also require adults who work with student athletes to report suspicions of abuse.

Civil liberties groups and the Catholic church are among those who’ve raised concerns the proposed new rules would be too punitive and, maybe, unconstitutional.

Those arguments did not sway Senate Judiciary Chairman Rick Jones.  He says coaches, trainers and other who work with student athletes take on a responsibility.

“They know what they need to do. And if they can’t do it, they need to sit in a prison cell next to Larry Nassar. That’s where they belong.”

Rachel Denhollander is a former gymnast who first accused MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar of abuse. She says victims deserve their day in court.

“Revising the statute of limitations does not make it easier to prosecute, or to pursue a claim. It simply gives survivors access to their own justice system.”

Kimberly Buddin is a policy lawyer for ACLU-Michigan. She says there are some cases that absolutely need to be reported but sometimes law enforcement isn’t the answer.

“We also do not want to create an environment that forces people to choose between facing potential criminal penalties over avoidable, or unnecessary long-term collateral consequences to a family.” 

A Senate committee passed the legislation today (Tues). The committee amended one bill to increase the penalty for employees who are required to report abuse but don’t. Those people would face a two-year felony.