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Hearings began Tuesday in Lansing on a proposal to eliminate the statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct committed against those under the age of 18, including any assaults that occurred in the past.
While the statute of limitations was eliminated in 2001, it was not retroactive to assaults that occurred before earlier expiration dates.
A a narrow US Supreme Court ruling threw out a similar law in California more than a decade ago, but sponsors believe the court has changed enough to give the Michigan legislation a try.
House Republican Holly Hughes of Montague admits there’s “constitutionality problems,” and the case could once more wind up before the court, but she adds “I think our kids are worth the chance of having this looked at once again.”
The bill is before the House Criminal Justice Committee.
