HARRISBURG – Newly elected House Speaker Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, emerged as a surprise pick to lead the chamber Tuesday, but he’s been far from obscure – serving as the most most vocal and impassioned champion for providing a window for adult survivors of childhood sex abuse to sue organizations like the Catholic Church that covered up for predators.

Mr. Rozzi, who has publicly spoken about the fact that he was a victim of abuse by a priest, sponsored legislation to ask voters whether to amend the Constitution to open a window for lawsuits by abuse survivors. That bill, which first passed the General Assembly in 2021, was co-sponsored by Rep. Jim Gregory, R-Blair, who nominated Mr. Rozzi as a candidate to become speaker.

Mr. Gregory and Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne, have both already circulated cosponsor memos indicating that they are introducing legislation intended to get the proposed Constitutional amendment to open a window for lawsuits by abuse survivors before voters.

Mr. Rozzi also sponsored House Bill 962 (Act 87 of 2019), which abolished Pennsylvania’s criminal statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse and extends the timeline victims have to file civil action against their abusers; extends civil statute of limitations for victims age 18-24 until the age of 30; extends the criminal statute of limitations for criminal proceedings for victims age 18-24 for 20 years; and provides counseling services for victims of sexual assault via the Crime Victims Compensation fund through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Mr. Rozzi said he will not caucus with the Democrats as speaker and said he intends to be the state’s first independent speaker. House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, said that because of that, the party composition in the chamber will be 101-101 even if Democrats win the seats vacated by the death of Rep. Tony DeLuca and the resignations of Rep. Summer Lee and Rep. Austin Davis.