Time to strip N.J. immunity law
EDITORIAL, Home News Tribune May 26, 2004
Many thanks to state senators for recognizing that New Jersey's charitable
immunity law is antiquated and unfair, denying victims of sexual abuse the fundamental right to seek justice.
Last week, the Senate passed legislation that strips churches and other charities of their protection against lawsuits by sexual-abuse victims.
An Assembly panel weighing the bill should post it for a vote without delay.
Likewise, Gov. James E. McGreevey should waste no time signing the legislation into law.
Sexual abuse of boys by Catholic priests gained nationwide attention several years ago.
Church leaders caught covering up the abuse worsened the scandal. New Jersey's law helps churches and other charitable groups hide those
abuses. Meantime, it prevents childhood survivors from seeking legal recourse and compensation for their suffering.
Only nine states maintain charitable immunity laws. It's appropriate for New
Jersey to shorten that list to eight. Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, showed a sense of fairness and profound compassion by sponsoring this
all-important bill
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