ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today unanimously passed House Bill 605, the Hidden Predator Act, sponsored by State Representative Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine), by a vote of 170-0. HB 605 is the latest update to the Hidden Predator Act and would provide provisions that would hold negligent or grossly negligent individuals or entities who conceal child abuse accountable.
“This measure would bring our state’s laws in line with science and what real world experience has taught us about childhood sexual abuse,” said Rep. Spencer. “Oftentimes, the effects of childhood sexual abuse are latent, and these changes seek to acknowledge that the impacts of such abuse can lie dormant long after abuse. HB 605 would provide child sex abuse victims a pathway to justice.”
HB 605 would update the current law to extend the statute of limitations from age 23 to age 38; increase the age of discovery for victims who discover psychological and emotional problems as a result of child sexual abuse from two years to four years; and create a one-year period for anyone who was time barred from filing a civil action for injuries resulting from childhood sexual abuse due to the expiration of the statute of limitations to file actions against an entity negligent or grossly negligent in such abuse.
The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.
For more information on HB 605, please click here.
Representative Jason Spencer represents the citizens of District 180, which includes Camden, Charlton and Ware counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as Secretary of the Special Rules Committee. He also serves on the Game, Fish & Parks, Human Relations & Aging, Juvenile Justice and Science and Technology committees.
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