SB 494: Eliminating Statute of Limitations

Statement by Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids on Senate Judiciary Committee’s Favorable Passage of SB 494 Relating to the Elimination of Statute of Limitations

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee today favorably passed SB 494, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of a child less than 16 years old. There is no time limit on a survivor’s suffering, why would we limit the ability to prosecute their offender? We are now one step closer to achieving justice for survivors in the state of Florida. Today, I am humbled and honored by the work of our legislators, especially bill sponsor Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, who truly listen to their constituents and work to transform the injustices they have experienced into legislative change for others. I thank and commend survivors like Ashley Foster, who has come forth with the abuse she suffered at the hands of her uncle, who share their stories to make it different for others. I am proud to stand with legislators, survivors like Ashley, advocates and experts to work toward a state that is safer for us all.