ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers want to eliminate a statute of limitations on the ability to file civil claims related to allegations of child sexual abuse.

Lawmakers, abuse victims and advocates unveiled the legislation Wednesday. Under current Minnesota law, adults who allege they were sexually abused as children and who are seeking civil damages must file a lawsuit within six years after their 18th birthday.

The bill would lift the statute entirely, allowing adults to file such lawsuits no matter how much time has lapsed.

Sen. Ron Latz of St. Louis Park, a bill sponsor, says adult victims of child abuse often take many years to fully recover or process what happened to them.

He says the bill would hold institutions more accountable for employing abuse perpetrators.

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