Abuse victims push for change to CT statute laws

HARTFORD About 20 people, including some alleged victims of the late Dr. George Reardon at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, rallied on Wednesday for the bill outside St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford after the noontime Mass.

Connecticut's Roman Catholic bishops have urged parishes to fight the legislation, warning of a potentially "disastrous" financial fallout for the church.

Current law gives an 18-year-old victim 30 years - or until age 48 - to file a civil lawsuit. This bill places conditions on lawsuits, requiring physical evidence and at least another lawsuit against the same defendant within the current statute of limitations.