Zirkin turned his back on child abuse victims

I was sad — but certainly not surprised — to learn of former state Sen. Bobby Zirkin’s about-face on his original 2019 stance regarding the passage of the Hidden Predator’s Act (”Catholic Church paid Maryland lobbyists more than $200K to help limit, prevent abuse lawsuits,” Dec. 8). He had the courage then to stand up to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and push legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations regarding child sex abuse. But for the past three years, he’s been paid by the church to lobby against it. 

 In 1976, I first heard the catch phrase, “follow the money,” in the movie, “All The President’s Men,” about the Watergate burglary during the Richard Nixon White House years. Here is another example of a former state politician more interested in collecting a fee than what he at one time passionately believed to be the right thing to do. Why is it that money continues to override the decent thinking of today’s leaders? Can’t Zirkin collect fees lobbying for causes he truly believes in? I hope the former senator comes to his senses and stops his lobbying for the Archdiocese of Baltimore trying to maintain the statute of limitations on child sex abuse. 

There is another movie title I would like Zirkin to recall. This one is entitled, “Do the Right Thing.” — Mac Kennedy, Baltimore

Zirkin turned his back on child abuse victims | READER COMMENTARY – Baltimore Sun

Senate Bill 134: Maryland is poised to make great strides toward justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, their healing, the prevention of future abuse, and the ability to hold accountable individual perpetrators and institutions that might have facilitated them. Will you stand with us?

Find out how to advocate for Maryland Senate Bill 134 at this link.   

Senate_Hidden Predator Act ... by Parents' Coalition of Montg...

NMSC SCCAN Infographic 2021HiddenPredatorAct (19) by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

Md Sol One-pager 12.18.20 by Parents' Coalition of Montg...

Press Conference: Del. C.T. Wilson: "I don't want another suicide to go by..." PASS THE HIDDEN PREDATOR ACT TODAY

https://www.justice4mdsurvivors.org/

Urgent: Ask the MD Senate to Pass the Hidden Predator Act of 2020 on Sunday, March 15th

The Maryland Legislature is rushing through certain pieces of legislation before they end the session early because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's time for the Senate to Pass the Hidden Predator Act of 2020.  Read the Information Sheet below.

Key Committee members that must pass the bill out of Committee on Sunday are:

William C. Smith, Jr., Chair	Democrat, District 20, Montgomery County	(410) 841-3634, (301) 858-3634, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3634 (toll free)	will.smith@senate.state.md.us
Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher, Vice-Chair	Democrat, District 18, Montgomery County	(410) 841-3137, (301) 858-3137, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3137 (toll free)	jeff.waldstreicher@senate.state.md.us
Jill P. Carter	Democrat, District 41, Baltimore City	(410) 841-3697, (301) 858-3697	jill.carter@senate.state.md.us
Shelly L. Hettleman	Democrat, District 11, Baltimore County	(410) 841-3131, (301) 858-3131 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3313 (toll free)	shelly.hettleman@senate.state.md.us
Susan C. Lee	Democrat, District 16, Montgomery County	(410) 841-3124, (301) 858-3124 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3124 (toll free)	susan.lee@senate.state.md.us
Charles E. Sydnor III	Democrat, District 44, Baltimore County	(410) 841-3612, (301) 858-3612 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3612 (toll free)	charles.sydnor@senate.state.md.us
Christopher R. West	Republican, District 42, Baltimore County	(410) 841-3648, (301) 858-3648 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3648 (toll free)	chris.west@senate.state.md.us
Ronald N. Young	Democrat, District 3, Frederick County	(410) 841-3575, (301) 858-3575 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3575 (toll free)	ronald.young@senate.state.md.us

And on Twitter:
@Willcsmithjr

@jwaldstreicher

@SenatorSusanLee

@shellyhettleman

@CharlesSydnor3d

Hidden Predator Act of 2020 by Parents' Coalition of Montg... on Scribd

Balt. Sun on H.B. 974: Hidden Predator Act of 2020

Synopsis: Allows adult victims of child sexual abuse to file “an action for damages” at any time, regardless of how long ago the incidents occurred.

Analysis: This bill was first introduced last year by Del. C.T. Wilson of Charles County, himself a survivor of child sexual abuse, and it sailed through the House only to be crushed in the Senate — the victim of a 5-5 deadlock in that body’s Judicial Proceedings Committee, when progressive Democrat Jill Carter unexpectedly sided with four conservative Republicans to kill it.

Indeed, the bill has had strong opposition, most of it coming from the Catholic Church, no doubt terrified by the monsoon of lawsuits and settlement conferences that could result from such a law change, as well as a provision within the bill that would open a two-year window for those who were previously barred from suing to do so retroactively...

Editorial board recommendation: Pass...

https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-0228-sexual-assault-bills-20200228-zgyitsczyjcxdj4z3cckwciysq-story.html?fbclid=IwAR0iVnDK52ADE_xcHio9s-S1Efy3EhHwV2AKpoJb5un6csvjRbFi-s3WCBo