Texas lawmakers are pushing for changes in statutes of limitation and penalties for sex crimes involving children in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against the former senior pastor of the Gateway Church. Robert Morris resigned following accusations of abuse by Cindy Clemishire when she was 12 in the 1980s. State Reps. Nate Schatzline, Jeff Leach, and Steve Toth, all conservative Republicans, are advocating for stronger laws to protect victims of childhood sexual abuse. Leach, chair of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, plans to hold hearings to consider changes in statutes of limitation. Toth aims to increase penalties for sex crimes involving children and mandate reporting by church board members. The upcoming Texas legislative session in January is expected to address these issues. Morris, founder of Gateway Church and a prominent figure in the evangelical community, was a member of Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board. Lawmakers are emphasizing the need for accountability and justice for victims of abuse, with a focus on protecting children and holding perpetrators accountable. The push for legislative change comes amidst growing concerns over the handling of abuse cases within religious organizations.
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