OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The chairman of a Senate committee says he won’t hold a hearing for a measure to eliminate the statute of limitations on child rape, which would kill the bill.
Sen. Jim Hargrove of Hoquiam told the Daily World of Aberdeen he made his decision after talking to prosecutors and law enforcement. As head of the Senate human services and corrections committee, Hargrove can decide which bills will be heard or not heard.
The proposed measure allows rape of a victim under the age of 18 to be prosecuted any time. The current law says if a victim is under 14 and the rape is reported within one year, the statute of limitations runs until that victim turns 28.
The state House unanimously approved House Bill 1657 this month.
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Information from: The Daily World, http://www.thedailyworld.com
