Governor looking over Bills 33, 34
The Guam Memorial Hospital now has the authority to privatize cafeteria services, legislation was signed to enhance the Parole Board and there's now greater access to sign language interpreters.
By KUAM NewsGuam - Governor Eddie Calvo signed three bills into law today. The Guam Memorial Hospital now has the authority to privatize cafeteria services, legislation was signed to enhance the Parole Board and there's now greater access to sign language interpreters. Governor Calvo has until tomorrow to sign the rest of the bills that were passed during February's legislative session.
Among those measures includes Bill 33 and 34, the latter being opposed by the Archdiocese of Hagatna. The legislation introduced by Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz would open a two-year window to allow victims of child sex abuse to file a civil action against their perpetrator.
He said, "It's important that in certain types of crimes there needs to be special treatment of it especially against our innocents. So I think it's so important and I am in agreement that when it comes to statue of limitations for those that perpetrate a crime our innocent's our youth, the hand of justice will fall upon them. We are now reviewing Bill 33 and Bill 34 and we want to make sure with those pieces of legislation and the amendments that were made on the floor that they will accomplish those purposed."
Amendments were made to address frivolous claims they included that a "certificate of merit" be issued by a judge and that "all references to the words "institutions, entities, businesses or organizations were removed". The vote on the bill was 9-6.
Those voting against its passage included senators Rory Respicio, Judi Guthertz, Dennis Rodriguez Jr., Tony Ada, Frank Blas, Jr., and Chris Duenas.