Watch CBS News

Governor Brown Vetoes Sex Abuse Bill

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- California's governor has vetoed a bill that would have allowed some sex abuse victims who are now barred by the statute of limitations to file lawsuits against private institutions who employed their abuser.

Gov. Jerry Brown said he vetoed the bill because it unfairly expanded on a similar measure passed in 2002 amid the Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal.

The current bill from Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose would have lifted the statute of limitations for a group of alleged victims who were 26 and older and missed the previous window to file lawsuits because of time and age restrictions.

Catholic Church leaders and representatives of other organizations in opposition said the proposal to allow claims is unfair because it does not allow those accusers to sue public institutions. Brown agreed.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.