The Latest: Michigan Senate approves Nassar legislation

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Latest on the Michigan Senate’s consideration of legislation inspired by the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case (all times local):

6:45 p.m.

The Michigan Senate has approved legislation inspired by the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case.

Senator voted Wednesday night to retroactively give victims more time to sue, restrict governments’ ability to claim immunity from such lawsuits and expand who is legally required to report suspected abuse to authorities.

Under the legislation, people sexually abused as minors would have a one-year window in which to file suit for claims dating from 1997. A gymnast first notified a Michigan State University coach of concerns about Nassar, a now-imprisoned sports doctor, in 1997.

Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, where Nassar worked for decades, have been sued by more than 250 girls and women.

There has been pushback against retroactively lengthening the statute of limitations to sue from universities, governments, businesses, the Catholic Church and others. The bills next go to the Michigan House.

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5:30 p.m.

The Michigan Senate is poised to vote on legislation inspired by the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case after changes are made to bills that would retroactively extend the statute of limitations to sue and restrict governments’ ability to claim immunity from lawsuits.

Under new versions of the bills up for a vote Wednesday, people sexually abused as minors would have a one-year window in which to file suit for claims dating from 1997 instead of 1993. A gymnast first notified a Michigan State University coach of concerns about Nassar, a sports doctor, in 1997. In another change to the legislation, people sexually assaulted as adults would not be able to sue retroactively.

Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, where Nassar worked for decades, have been sued by more than 250 girls and women.

There has been pushback against retroactively lengthening the time limit to sue from universities, governments, businesses, the Catholic Church and others.

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1:10 p.m.

Legislation in Michigan that would help victims of imprisoned sports doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse move forward with lawsuits is in limbo amid pushback from universities, the Catholic Church and others.

The Republican-led Senate is considering bills Wednesday to retroactively extend the statute of limitations to sue and restrict governments’ ability to claim immunity. Senators discussed the bills privately and plan to resume session later in the day.

Michigan State University, where Nassar worked for decades, has been sued by more than 250 girls and women. The school contends many waited too long to sue and that it has immunity.

People sexually abused as children in Michigan generally have until their 19th birthdays to sue. Under the legislation, those abused in 1993 or later could sue until their 48th birthdays.

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