ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — Maryland leaders still can’t say how the state will pay for thousands of child sex abuse lawsuits filed under the Child Victims Act, legal claims that attorneys say could ultimately cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
More than a year after Spotlight on Maryland first reported that the state faced thousands of legal claims from survivors of child sexual abuse inside its youth facilities and services, state officials acknowledge the scope of the potential liability remains unclear. Meanwhile, Maryland faces mounting budget pressure and projected multibillion-dollar deficits in the coming years.
The Maryland General Assembly enacted the Child Victims Act in 2023, removing the statute of limitations for many child sexual abuse claims against religious institutions, private organizations, and government agencies.
The law initially set a $1.5 million claim limit per incident for nongovernmental organizations and an $890,000 cap per incident for lawsuits filed against the State of Maryland or other government entities. The measure allowed survivors, including some alleging that abuse occurred decades ago, to pursue civil lawsuits against their abusers and “have their day in court,” according to advocates and the bill’s lead sponsor…