Harrisburg, Pa – On June 9, 2025, the Pennsylvania House voted in favor of HB 462 and 464. These bills would create different ways for adult survivors of child sex crimes to seek legal compensation from their offender. Both bills attempt this goal in different ways.
HB 462 would create a two-year window for childhood sexual abuse survivors to take civil action against alleged perpetrators. Some have argued that the actions of HB 462 cannot be taken through changing state law and requires a constitutional amendment. HB 464 would take the same action but would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow such a thing.
Both of these bills provide a victory for PCAR’s legislative initiatives; however, the fight is not over. HB 462 must survive three PA Senate votes, then be signed by Governor Shapiro. Meanwhile, HB 464 must pass the PA General Assembly in two consecutive sessions (each session lasts two years). After it passes the General Assembly, it must then be voted on by Pennsylvanians to decide if they wish for the amendment to happen or not.
While the process is long, June 9 still marks a victory for adult survivors of childhood sex crimes.
