House Judiciary Committee hears competing views on two‑year 'reviver' window and related constitutional amendment

The House Judiciary Committee heard detailed testimony in Harrisburg on proposed legislation and a constitutional amendment that would open a two‑year window for survivors to file civil claims for childhood sexual abuse and would waive sovereign immunity in some cases.

Committee Chair Chairman Kauffman presided over the hearing and Representative Davidso​n, the bill’s prime sponsor, said he would reserve most remarks for the committee’s upcoming voting meeting and that the day’s purpose was to hear survivors and experts.

Supporters told the committee the measure would let people whose claims are now time‑barred come to court and hold institutions accountable. Lara St. John, a professional violinist who said she was abused while a student at the Curtis Institute of Music, described reporting efforts to school officials that she said were ignored and said a civil remedy is…