BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • Health
  • News
  • Crime
  • Local News
  • People
  • Guest Post
BBC Gossip
BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • People
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Guest Post
Home Maryland legislators approve a bill to reduce responsibilities for numerous sexual abuse allegations.
  • Local News

Maryland legislators approve a bill to reduce responsibilities for numerous sexual abuse allegations.

    Maryland lawmakers pass bill to try to limit liabilities for thousands of claims of sexual abuse
    Up next
    What Movie Should I Watch Tonight? ‘The Saint’ on Paramount+ Pays Tribute to Val Kilmer’s Eccentricity
    Which Movie to Watch Tonight? ‘The Saint’ on Paramount+ Celebrates Val Kilmer’s Quirky Performance
    Published on 05 April 2025
    Author
    BBC Gossip

    In Annapolis, Maryland, legislators approved a bill on Saturday to mitigate potential liabilities arising from claims of sexual abuse at both state and private institutions. This decision was spurred by a surge in allegations, particularly in youth detention centers, where thousands of individuals came forward with reports of abuse. The financial implications for the state could reach billions of dollars due to these claims.

    The influx of cases primarily targeting Maryland’s juvenile justice system stemmed from the state’s move to eliminate the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims two years ago, a response to the Catholic Church abuse scandal.

    The approved measure, which will now be reviewed by Gov. Wes Moore, entails reducing the settlement caps. For cases filed after May 31, the limit is lowered from $890,000 to $400,000 for state institutions and from $1.5 million to $700,000 for private institutions. Additionally, a modification to the 2023 law stipulates that claimants are only eligible for a single payment, as opposed to receiving compensation for each instance of abuse.

    In California on Friday, Los Angeles County officials announced they had reached a $4 billion agreement to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities since 1959.

    Other private and public entities have been rocked by allegations of wide-ranging abuse and subsequent settlements.

    The agreement in California, which still needs a county board’s approval, far surpasses a $2.6 billion settlement reached in 2022 with Boy Scouts of America, which recently renamed itself Scouting America. That settlement involved more than 80,000 men who said they were molested as children by scouting leaders and others.

    Maryland state Sen. Will Smith, who chairs the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, said it has been estimated that Maryland is facing a potential liability between $3 billion and $4 billion.

    Smith, a Democrat, noted that lawmakers approved the 2023 Child Victims Act in response “to a long fight to have justice for victims of child sex abuse, where our prior framework barred some of those claims if you were above the age of 38.”

    “But what we could never have anticipated was just the sheer volume of cases that ensued,” Smith said.

    During debate Saturday, lawmakers said about 1,500 cases already have been filed. In addition, another 4,500 cases are known about, lawmakers said, and attorneys for plaintiffs have been in settlement discussions with Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s office.

    Sen. Justin Ready, a Republican who is the Senate minority whip, said the state liability could potentially be even higher than the estimate cited by Smith.

    “We just spent all session wrestling with a $3 billion deficit, which is a huge deficit, and we’ve been fighting about that and debating it discussing it … Just one settlement from this very well could end up being that entire amount, and that is not the end of this,” Ready said.

    Sen. Chris West said he doubted the provision in the bill that would limit someone to only sue for one individual case, rather than for each incident of abuse, would survive a court challenge, based on prior rulings by the Maryland Supreme Court.

    “If the Supreme Court follows the guidance of prior Supreme Court decisions, they will hold that our attempt to deny people the right to file cases to recover for multiple occurrences is unconstitutional, because those rights for the past two years have been vested,” West, a Republican, said. “The people have had the right to file those cases.”

    Smith told reporters on Friday that he believed a settlement “is the optimal solution here.”

    “We’re hoping that the attorney general and the plaintiffs can get together and work out a settlement,” Smith said.

    Maryland lawmakers passed the Child Victims Act in the immediate aftermath of a scathing investigative report by the attorney general’s office that revealed widespread abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Before its passage, victims couldn’t sue after they turned 38. The law change prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy to protect its assets.

    The Maryland Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law in a 4-3 ruling in February.

    The measure approved Saturday also would cap attorneys’ fees at 20% for cases that settle out of court and 25% for cases resolved in court.

    The Senate voted 36-7 for the bill on Saturday, and the House voted 92-40 for the bill a short time later, sending the bill to the governor.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    You May Also Like
    Police arrest 2 suspects, including boy, in deadly Aurora shooting near Park Lane Elementary School
    • Local News

    Two individuals, one of whom is a juvenile boy, are apprehended by the police in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in the vicinity of Park Lane Elementary School in Aurora.

    In Aurora, two individuals were apprehended by police on Friday, one of…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    3News Investigates: Family of Cargill salt mine accident victim fights for justice
    • Local News

    Investigation by 3News: Family of Cargill salt mine accident victim seeks justice

    Greg Sychla was crushed by a 43-ton loader last year at the…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    High court ruling on injunctions could imperil many court orders blocking the Trump administration
    • Local News

    Potential threat to numerous court orders against the Trump administration due to recent high court decision regarding injunctions

    WASHINGTON – The recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court restricting federal…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 27, 2025
    New execution methods may soon come to Florida. Here’s why
    • Local News

    Reasons for Potential Introduction of New Execution Methods in Florida

    In Tallahassee, Florida, starting next month, the state will have the option…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Canton police: Suspect charged after Aultman Hospital employee shot while on duty
    • Local News

    Charges Filed Against Suspect in Shooting of Aultman Hospital Employee by Canton Police

    James Flair has been charged with three counts of felonious assault and…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    21-year-old motorcyclist arrested after crash that killed passenger, shut down southbound I-25 in Denver
    • Local News

    A 21-year-old motorcyclist was taken into custody following an accident that resulted in the death of a passenger and closed the southbound lanes of I-25 in Denver.

    In Denver, a motorcyclist was taken into custody after being involved in…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Here's a look at the celebrities attending Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice
    • Local News

    Celebrities who will be present at Jeff Bezos’ wedding in Venice

    Here’s a look at the who’s who of the Bezos-Sánchez Bezos nuptials.…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    ‘Explosion’ rocks Sanford neighborhood as home bursts into flames
    • Local News

    A ‘blast’ shakes Sanford area following a house catching fire

    A residence in Sanford, Florida, was completely consumed by fire on a…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Environmental groups sue to stop ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Florida migrant center
    • Local News

    Lawsuit filed by environmental organizations to halt Florida detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Environmental groups have taken legal action by filing a…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 27, 2025
    Boulder police arrest 28-year-old man allegedly connected to series of assaults, threats involving chain
    • Local News

    28-Year-Old Man Arrested by Boulder Police in Connection to String of Assaults and Threats Involving Chain

    BOULDER, Colo. — The Boulder Police Department arrested a 28-year-old man allegedly…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 49 people as ceasefire talks remain uncertain
    • Local News

    “Israeli airstrikes in Gaza claim lives of 49 people amid ongoing uncertainty over ceasefire negotiations”

    The strikes come as U.S. President Donald Trump says there could be…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Canton police: 'Suspicious circumstances' in case of missing 26-year-old Ryan Godbey
    • Local News

    Canton Police Investigate Suspicious Circumstances in Disappearance of 26-Year-Old Ryan Godbey

    Ryan Godbey’s last contact with family members was on June 19 and…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025

    Recent Posts

    • Celebrities who will be present at Jeff Bezos’ wedding in Venice
    • Paige DeSorbo Discovered the Ideal Mock Turtleneck for Capris Outfit
    • Renowned composer of Mission: Impossible, Lalo Schifrin, passes away at 93
    • Diddy Responds: State Prepares for Defense’s Final Statement
    • “Authorities Arrest 27 Individuals in Lake County Sheriff’s Office Effort to Combat Human Trafficking in Gurnee, Illinois”
    Here's a look at the celebrities attending Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice
    • Local News

    Celebrities who will be present at Jeff Bezos’ wedding in Venice

    Here’s a look at the who’s who of the Bezos-Sánchez Bezos nuptials.…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Paige DeSorbo Found the Perfect Mock Turtleneck Top to Pair With Capris
    • Entertainment

    Paige DeSorbo Discovered the Ideal Mock Turtleneck for Capris Outfit

    Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    Legendary Mission: Impossible composer Lalo Schifrin dies aged 93
    • US

    Renowned composer of Mission: Impossible, Lalo Schifrin, passes away at 93

    The legendary composer who wrote the Mission: Impossible theme song has passed…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    DIDDY CAR BOMB HORROR: DESIGNER SCARF WICK, FINGERPRINTS ‘DESTROYED’
    • News

    Diddy Responds: State Prepares for Defense’s Final Statement

    Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team presented their case today, with lawyer Marc…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 28, 2025
    BBC Gossip
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • News
    • Local News
    • Health
    • Crime
    • Guest Post