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Law Extends Time For Childhood Sex-Abuse Charges

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Sex-abuse victims will have more time to pursue criminal charges against offenders under a bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Also Tuesday, the governor vetoed a related bill that would have extended the amount of time victims have to file civil lawsuits and seek financial compensation.

Democratic Sen. Jim Beall of San Jose pushed both bills to give victims more time to overcome their trauma before deciding whether to pursue legal action.

SB926 raises the age ceiling from 28 to 40 for childhood sexual abuse victims to file criminal complaints.

Brown rejected SB924 to give victims the same amount of time to sue public agencies complicit in the abuse. He said in a veto message he sees no compelling reason to allow more time for civil claims against third parties.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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