SB 251 — A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for courts to be open and suits against the Commonwealth.

PRIOR PASSAGE - NONE
                                                       PRINTER'S NO.   202

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 251
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY BAKER, PENNYCUICK, DUSH, FONTANA, COSTA, KANE,
        KEARNEY, SANTARSIERO AND SCHWANK, FEBRUARY 13, 2025

     REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 13, 2025


                              A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1   Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth
 2      of Pennsylvania, further providing for courts to be open and
 3      suits against the Commonwealth.
 4      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 5   hereby resolves as follows:
 6      Section 1.    The following amendment to the Constitution of
 7   Pennsylvania is proposed in accordance with Article XI:
 8      That section 11 of Article I be amended to read:
 9   § 11.    Courts to be open; suits against the Commonwealth.
10      (a)    All courts shall be open; and every man for an injury
11   done him in his lands, goods, person or reputation shall have
12   remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered
13   without sale, denial or delay. Suits may be brought against the
14   Commonwealth in such manner, in such courts and in such cases as
15   the Legislature may by law direct.
16      (b)    An individual for whom a statutory limitations period
17   has already expired, or whose claim would otherwise be barred or
18   limited by a statutory cap on damages, sovereign immunity or by
 1   governmental or official immunity, shall have a period of two
 2   years, without bar or limitation by such caps or immunities,
 3   from the time that this subsection becomes effective to commence
 4   an action arising from childhood sexual abuse, in such cases as
 5   provided by law at the time that this subsection becomes
 6   effective.
 7      Section 2.   The following procedure applies to the proposed
 8   constitutional amendment in this joint resolution:
 9          (1)   Upon the first passage by the General Assembly of
10      the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
11      proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
12      requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
13      of Pennsylvania.
14          (2)   Upon the second passage by the General Assembly of
15      the amendment, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
16      proceed immediately to comply with the advertising
17      requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
18      of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall
19      submit the amendment to the qualified electors of this
20      Commonwealth at the first general election which meets the
21      requirements of section 1 of Article XI of the Constitution
22      of Pennsylvania.




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