In a significant move to provide justice and compensation to victims of child sexual abuse within the Boy Scouts of America, Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine has signed a new law aimed at guaranteeing increased legal payouts. This legal measure comes amidst the organization’s ongoing bankruptcy settlement, which was initially filed in 2020 in response to a flood of allegations from tens of thousands of men across the nation who claimed they were sexually abused by their Scout leaders. Notably, nearly 2,000 of these individuals are from the state of Ohio.

The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy in order to continue its operations while still offering partial compensation to the victims in the wake of numerous lawsuits that were filed against them. The amount of compensation that victims receive can vary from one state to another, based on the length of the statute of limitations for civil claims and the severity of each abuse case.

Prior to this new law, Ohio had a civil statute of limitations in bankruptcy cases set at 12 years. However, with the Governor’s approval, this limitation is now rendered void for the next five years. As a result, victims of Boy Scout abuse who file claims in Ohio will receive the full amount they are owed through the settlement, rather than the previously allocated 30 to 45% of it.

This move by Ohio makes it the first state to take advantage of the settlement’s provision, which allows states to extend the statute of limitations in such cases. This decision has been lauded by many as a significant step towards ensuring justice and appropriate compensation for the victims.

Republican Representative Bill Seitz, hailing from the Cincinnati area and one of the sponsors of this measure, highlighted the importance of this law in ensuring that victims of such heinous abuse are provided with the support and compensation they rightfully deserve.

The signing of this law not only represents a positive step for victims in Ohio but also sets a precedent that may encourage other states to follow suit in seeking justice for those affected by child sexual abuse within organizations like the Boy Scouts of America. It underscores the commitment to holding such institutions accountable for their actions and providing a means for survivors to seek the compensation they deserve.