Child abuse tort claim measure clears final round

Lawmakers passed a bill April 18 that allows political subdivisions to be sued for harm caused to a child by sexual or other abuse under certain circumstances.

LB25, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne, allows civil claims involving child sexual or other abuse under the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act.

Claims may be filed if the harm done is a “proximate result” of a political subdivision’s failure to exercise reasonable control over an employee or failure to protect a person in their care, custody or control from harm by a non-employee.

The existing act has a cap of $1 million and claims cannot be made against the state under the bill.

LB25 passed on a vote of 28-17.