Ohio Legislation: SB17

[Fred_Vobbe]

(Before anyone comments, I'm not a member, or affiliated with the group. This is a press release from the organization which is gaining some ground in getting SB17 passed in Ohio. Note bullet point #1)


SNAP Press Release
Giving Voice to Victims
For Immediate Release: Friday, November 18, 2005

For Further Information Contact:
Christy Miller, Co-Leader of SNAP Cincinnati, (513) 383-2198
Claudia Vercellotti, SNAP Toledo, (419) 350-9234
Dan Frondorf, SNAP Cincinnati (513) 706-7403
David Clohessy, National Director, SNAP (314) 566-9790

What: Proponent Testimony for Ohio SB17 Hearing in front of Ohio House Judiciary Committee Chaired by John Willamowski of Lima, Ohio

When: Tuesday November 22, 2005 @ 9:30 a.m.

Statehouse
Room 114
Columbus, Ohio

Who: Victims of childhood sexual abuse and supporters (family, friends, educators, and advocates) holding photos and documents, to testify before the Ohio Judiciary Committee in support of Ohio SB17.

"We are grateful that this important child safety proposal is moving forward and hope that the Judiciary Committee will listen with open hearts and minds to us and other child advocates.”

This bill will protect Ohio's most vulnerable citizens from predators. It deserves quick but serious consideration.

“We are sad that Ohio's Catholic bishops continue to fight this reasonable measure. But we are confident that our representatives will agree nothing trumps the safety of our children."

SB 17 would:

1. Make all clergy mandated reporters

2. Strengthen the charge of gross sexual imposition to a felony

3. Extends the civil statute of limitations on known or reasonably suspected sex crimes against children to 20 years after the age of 18.

4. Specifically, the measure will allow a 12 month window for victims of childhood sexual assault to file a civil claim against their molester and his/her enablers and the institutions that have continued to hide the perpetrators from the law.



Ohio SB17 is endorsed by the following:

· Ohio Senate (Unanimously passed the Senate on March 16, 2005)

· SNAP

· OCOSA

· VOTF

· Hamilton County Prosecutor

· Cuyahoga County Prosecutor

· Warren County Prosecutor


Committee members:

John Willamowski, Chair, Lima, Ohio
Lou Blessing, Vice Chair, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tim Schaffer, Lancaster, Ohio Fairfield County
Claudette Woodard, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Dale Miller, Cleveland, Ohio
Tim DeGeeter, Parma, Ohio
Bill Coley, West Chester, Ohio
Randy Law, Warren, Ohio
Sandra Harwood, Youngstown, Ohio
Danny Bubp, Adams County, Ohio
Matt Dolan, Cuyahoga County, Ohio