Current:Home > NewsIowa lawmakers approve bill just in time to increase compensation for Boy Scout abuse victims -Elevate Capital Network
Iowa lawmakers approve bill just in time to increase compensation for Boy Scout abuse victims
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:44:47
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa men who were victims of child sexual molestation while they were in the Boy Scouts of America could get higher legal compensation under a bill approved Friday by lawmakers and expected to be signed by the governor, just before the deadline to do so will expire.
The retroactive measure, which would waive the statute of limitations for victims filing a civil claim as part of the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy settlement, would take effect after Gov. Kim Reynolds signs it.
The Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 as it faced hundreds of lawsuits filed by men alleging they had been sexually abused as children by their Scout leaders and volunteers. A $2.46 billion bankruptcy reorganization plan was approved in 2022, after more than 80,000 men filed claims nationwide.
A state’s statute of limitations could decrease the damages that victims receive, according to the fund’s distribution procedures. Under the settlement terms, states had until Friday to extend their statutes of limitations.
“We are facing a clock that is ticking to ensure that they will not be financially penalized because their abuse occurred within the borders of our state,” Sen. Janet Petersen, a Democrat, said Wednesday.
Iowa law requires victims of child sexual abuse to file claims by age 19 or, if older, within four years of realizing a sustained injury was caused by the abuse. The new measure — which applies only to the case against the Boy Scouts of America — allows victims within the Scouts to seek legal action at any time.
It’s unclear how many Iowa victims may now file new claims by the May 31 deadline.
Reynolds’ spokesperson indicated the governor would sign the bill if it reached her desk.
veryGood! (87728)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- The Voice Season 26 Crowns a New Winner
- Oregon lawmakers to hold special session on emergency wildfire funding
- Drew Barrymore Addresses Criticism Over Her Touchiness With Talk Show Guests
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Trump taps immigration hard
- Hate crime charges dropped against 12 college students arrested in Maryland assault
- The brewing recovery in Western North Carolina
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Sabrina Carpenter reveals her own hits made it on her personal Spotify Wrapped list
Ranking
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- American who says he crossed into Syria on foot is freed after 7 months in detention
- Morgan Wallen sentenced after pleading guilty in Nashville chair
- Beyoncé will perform halftime during NFL Christmas Day Game: Here's what to know
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Atmospheric river and potential bomb cyclone bring chaotic winter weather to East Coast
- US inflation likely edged up last month, though not enough to deter another Fed rate cut
- When does 'No Good Deed' come out? How to watch Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow's new dark comedy
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Beyoncé's BeyGood charity donates $100K to Houston law center amid Jay
Gen Z is 'doom spending' its way through the holidays. What does that mean?
Travis Kelce Praises Taylor Swift For Making Eras Tour "Best In The World"
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Beyoncé's BeyGood charity donates $100K to Houston law center amid Jay
Through 'The Loss Mother's Stone,' mothers share their grief from losing a child to stillbirth
ParkMobile $32.8 million settlement: How to join class