AUGUSTA — A bill that would extend the statute of limitations for families of victims in unsolved homicide cases to file civil action received initial support in the Senate on Tuesday.
The bill, LD 1605, is sponsored by Sen. Linda Valentino (D–Saco). Valentino also sponsored legislation in 2015 that resulted in the formation of a cold case unit.
In Maine, a family of a homicide victim has a twoyear window from the date of the victim’s death for bringing civil action. If passed, the bill will extend that time to six years.
The bill earned the unanimous support of the Judiciary Committee, and faces further action in the House and Senate, according to a press release from Valentino.
The extended statute of limitations would give more time for evidence to be gathered, as families may not know against whom to bring a civil action within the current two-year time frame, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
“LD 1605 is an attempt to give some of Maine’s families a glimmer of hope,” said Attorney General Janet Mills in written testimony from a recent public hearing.
Mills said while it’s often a long shot to get monetary damages from a murderer, the bill’s passage will mean the Legislature is acknowledging families of homicide victims.
Valentino said the bill is another crucial piece of the puzzle for victims’ families who are still awaiting justice.
“Families of victims have told me time and time again that the statute of limitations is just too short,” she said in a written statement. “More often than not, investigations have not concluded within the two-year limit for civil lawsuits.
“That means families seeking legal recourse have to either forego civil action or take action before they’re ready. My bill brings fairness to the system for families, no matter how quickly a homicide is solved.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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