Maryland Proves Once Again That It Is A Sex Offender Friendly State

The state of Maryland has prove once again that it is one of the four worst states when it comes to protecting the rights of those victimized by sex offenders. Last year it was senator Joseph F. Vallario, who is also a defense attorney and very friendly with the Catholic Church that killed the bill to better protect survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This year senator Brian E. Frosh did everything in his power to kill senate bill 575 in the state of Maryland.

Below is a bio on Senator Frosh. I figured since Frosh is Jewish our community members should be making phone calls to him. Let him know how you feel. Is Frosh really representing the people who voted him into office or is he representing the vested interests of organizations and corporations?

Senator Brian Frosh
Miller Senate Office Building, 2 East Wing
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3124, (301) 858-3124
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3124 (toll free)
e-mail: brian.frosh@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3102, (301) 858-3102

7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 800W
Bethesda, MD 20814 - 3412
(301) 652-2888

Born in Washington, DC, October 8, 1946. Attended Montgomery County public schools; Walter Johnson High School; University of Stockholm, 1966-67; Wesleyan University, B.A., 1968; Columbia University School of Law, J.D., 1971. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 1972; District of Columbia Bar, 1972. Attorney in private practice, 1976-. Member, Maryland State and Montgomery County Bar Associations. Board of Directors, State National Bank of Maryland, 1976-85. Board of Directors, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 1983-89. Executive Committee, Wesleyan University Alumni Association, 1986-89. Board of Directors, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, 1986-94. Director, Clean Air Trust, 1995-. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2000. Conservationist of the Year, Sierra Club of Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia, 1989. Lawmaker of the Year, American Lung Association of Maryland, 1991. Public Official of the Year, Audubon Naturalist Society, 1999. Leadership and Outstanding Service Award, Maryland State Bar Association, 2001. John R. Hargreaves Legislative Fellow, Salisbury University, 2007.

Extension of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits fails
by Len Lazarick
Examiner
March 17, 2007

BALTIMORE - Legislation that would allow victims of sexual abuse as children an indefinite period to file lawsuits against their abusers was killed in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday in an 8-2 vote.

Sen. James Brochin, D-Baltimore County, sponsored the bill (SB 575) to make it easier for adults who recognize their abuse later in life to file civil suits. Victims have until they are 25 to pursue lawsuits, though there is no statute of limitations on filing criminal charges for child sexual abuse.

The legislation was opposed by representatives of the Catholic bishops. Brochin offered amendments to limit damage awards to $250,000, but those amendments failed to pass.

Brochin had sought to delay consideration of the bill after he had indirectly heard of Catholic moves to set up a victims’ compensation fund, but the other committee members preferred to kill the bill.

“I realize what’s going to happen on this bill,” Brochin said. He said he realized the other members wanted to “give the archdiocese one more year” to explore remedies.

llazarick@ baltimoreexaminer.com