Anthony Kern was the Republican chair of the Arizona House Rules Committee that was deciding what to do with legislation that would affect abuse survivors’ ability to sue their abusers. There were three bills floating around addressing legal issues about child sex abuse such as changing the statute of limitations and the ability of people to sue. This was a bill child sexual abuse survivors opposed and they were present to share their perspective.
Kern refused to allow testimony because he said they heard testimony on a similar bill. The thing is, though, both bills might address the same issue, but one protected abusers. There was a vote, 5-3, along party lines, the Republicans prevailing and denying survivors of child sexual abuse a chance to testify.
The bill the meeting was about was one preferred by the insurance industry and business interests afraid of being on the hook for abusers. Of course, it was the one that was passed into law.
- Phoenix New Times: Committee Republicans Block Survivor Testimony on Arizona Child Sex Abuse Bill
- Arizona Mirror: Critics call GOP sexual abuse bill a “sham” that protects institutions, not victims
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona · Tuesday, May 21, 2019