The Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 35, known as the "Scout's Honor Law," which extends the civil statute of limitations, enabling survivors of Boy Scout sexual abuse in Ohio to pursue larger settlements, and the legislation was signed into law by the Governor on the 13th.
According to an article by QFM 96, Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio's Scout's Honor Law, which allows Ohioans to recover the full extent of monetary damages in lawsuits against the Boy Scouts of America for sexual abuse by scout leaders by removing the statute of limitations for claims of childhood sexual abuse filed against a bankruptcy estate of a federally chartered organization. The law was sponsored by Representatives Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) and Jessica E. Miranda (D-Forest Park).
Ohio's previous 12-year civil statute of limitations in bankruptcy cases is now void for five years. This means that victims of Boy Scout abuse, when filing claims, will receive the full settlement amount rather than just a portion of it. Ohio is the first state to use the provision that allows extending the statute of limitations, as mentioned by Rep. Seitz.
In a press release, State Rep Miranda said, “I want to thank all the survivors who put their trust in me to carry this legislation through the Statehouse. I am elated that we were able to get this done in time. I hope that participating in this settlement will bring some peace to the survivors. I am thankful to my joint-sponsor Representative Seitz, Speaker Stephens, President Huffman, and Governor DeWine for their willingness to help survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I am hoping that this is the first step in a statute of limitations reform in Ohio.”
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