Vitali only Delco rep to vote against measure
State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166 of Haverford, was the only Delaware County representative to vote against HB 261, including its provision for a two-year civil window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
While he said that the current law was sufficient, his Republican opponent held another view.
Vitali explained reasoning.
“Right now, you have up until an alleged victim is 50 years of age to bring (criminal) charges,” he said. “I think that’s a good period of time and I did not think that needed to be changed.”
The new bill would eliminate the statute of limitations for criminal charges and increase the window for civil suits from age 30 to age 50, along with opening the two-year window for past offenses.
In addition, he was concerned about the potential domino impact on public schools and school taxes.
“This bill would’ve exposed our public schools to lawsuits and that could result in higher school taxes or less money for pupil services,” Vitali said. his
Regarding the civil measure, the state representative said, “Opening a two-year window for civil actions after the statute of limitations had (expired), I think there are some serious constitutional issues.”
His Republican opponent, Baltazar Rubio, said Vitali’s opposing vote was wrong and should not stand and called on the representative to debate him in a public forum.
“Mr. Vitali has a long record of voting against protecting the community from sexual abusers dating back to 2011 when he voted against the Megan’s Law update, HB 75,” Rubio said. “Mr. Vitali should be made to explain why he does not wish to protect the community from sexual abusers.”
He said the representative should be challenged to explain.
“In this day and age, his votes are inconsistent with our community of women who make the 166th so vibrant and successful,” Rubio said. “In the era of the ‘MeToo’ movement, Mr. Vitali is taking the weapons for fighting back away from the people who need them the most.”
“Right now, you have up until an alleged victim is 50 years of age to bring (criminal) charges. I think that’s a good period of time and I did not think that needed to be changed.”
— State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166 of Haverford