LANSING, MI (AP)-- A bill advancing in Michigan's Legislature would eliminate or lengthen the statute of limitations for filing charges in sexual assault cases.
The legislation approved unanimously by the Senate Tuesday would allow a prosecution at any time for second-degree sexual conduct if the victim was younger than 16. In cases of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, the statute of limitations would rise to 20 years after the offense or the victim's 31st birthday, whichever is later.
That's 10 years longer than now.
Democratic Sen. Steve Bieda of Warren says there should be no "expiration date" for crimes against children.
There's already no statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct or when DNA evidence is obtained later. The bill moves to the House for consideration next.
