The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed two measures recommended in last year’s grand jury report on the sexual abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy in the State
Lawmakers voted 162-22 to toughen penalties for people who do not report suspicions about repeated child sexual abuse. They also voted unanimously to make it clear under the law that nondisclosure agreements in contracts cannot prevent people from talking to police in child molestation investigations.
The bills move now to the State Senate, which refused to take up similar bills last session. Local survivor Jim Van Sickle told WESB News that this time around, he’s hopeful that the Senate will act.