Committee advances H.57 after vote to extend filing window to 24 months with extenuating‑circumstances discretion

The House General & Housing Committee took up H.57 on Feb. 26 and debated whether to keep, remove or modify an 18‑month filing limitation contained in the bill. Members expressed concern that an 18‑month limit could exclude survivors who sought relief later, while also acknowledging the need for some temporal limit.

Committee members agreed to amend the bill to set a 24‑month standard and add language allowing the administering board discretion to extend that period in extenuating circumstances. As a committee member framed it, the compromise was “24 months or at the discretion of the board in the case of extenuating circumstances.”

Members discussed several real‑world examples raised in testimony, including cases in which survivors or relatives came forward many years after an event; the committee sought language that balanced allowing legitimate late claims while preventing open‑ended exposure. A member noted that the board currently exercises discretion when claims arrive late, and the amendment formalizes that discretion in committee text.

After the amendment was formulated, a member moved to approve H.57 as amended and a second was received. The committee took a roll‑call vote and approved the bill as amended; the clerk recorded the roll call and the committee chair directed that the committee reporter will notify the clerk and carry forward the measure for drafting and subsequent steps.

The chair told members they would give the bill’s sponsor a final briefing on the change before the formal committee report and drafting. Committee members also acknowledged the need for additional testimony on sensitive issues in later stages.

Action taken: motion to approve H.57 as amended (24 months with discretion for extenuating circumstances) — motion seconded; committee approved and will send the amended draft for formal drafting and clerking.