Bill spurred by Nassar case concerns Catholic Church
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Catholic Church's lobbying arm in Michigan says it has concerns with a bill that would retroactively lengthen the time limit for victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits.
The legislation is included in a package supported by victims of disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassar. It would let accusers who now generally must sue by their 19th birthday file suit up until they turn 48.
A Michigan Catholic Conference spokesman confirmed Tuesday that extending the statute of limitations is "of concern," but he withheld further comment until the group can fully review the measure's impact. The
Catholic Church has paid out more than $3 billion to settle clergy abuse cases in the U.S.
A state Senate committee leader says it will vote to pass the bill later Tuesday.
Michigan Senate quashes marijuana transport bill for now
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State legislators have stalled an attempt to repeal a statute that regulates vehicular transportation of marijuana.
The Michigan Senate voted 19-16 against the House bill Tuesday.
It would annul a law that classifies vehicle transportation or possession of marijuana as a misdemeanor, unless it's enclosed in a case in the trunk or — if there's no trunk — in a case not readily accessible from the vehicle's interior.
Proponents of the bill say the current restriction is unnecessary because marijuana is prohibited in all scenarios without a medical card, while medical marijuana patients are already exempt from the rule.
In 2016, the state's Court of Appeals ruled that medical marijuana patients in compliance with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act cannot be prosecuted for violating the vehicle transport provision.
Court employee files federal lawsuit against district judge
BRIGHTON, Mich. (AP) — A court administrator is suing a Livingston County judge, saying she was retaliated against after testifying in the judge’s divorce case.
The Lansing State Journal reports that Francine Zysk says in the federal civil lawsuit that District Judge Theresa Brennan badmouthed Zysk from the bench and refused to communicate with her on court-related matters.
Zysk also is suing Livingston Chief Judge Miriam Cavanaugh. Zysk says Cavanaugh "indulges" Brennan’s refusal to work with her.
Brennan had been under scrutiny for an extramarital affair with a state police lieutenant who was the lead investigator in a homicide case. Zysk says her testimony in Brennan’s divorce case included the length of the affair.
The newspaper says Brennan and Cavanaugh did not return calls seeking comment.
Zysk’s lawsuit seeks more than $75,000 in damages.
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