State lawmakers are moving forward with efforts to extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes in Tennessee.

The House Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would extend both civil and criminal statutes of limitations for these crimes.

"It expands it," said Rep. Bill Dunn, the Knoxville Republican sponsoring House Bill 0565. "Makes it easier for someone whose undergone sexual abuse to go ahead and bring charges."

A statute of limitations, intended to protect people from unfair prosecution, puts an expiration date on pursuing legal action.

The push to extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse crimes in Tennessee has seen support from Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, a number of state lawmakers as well as victims and advocates from across the state.

Bolstered by the testimony of a child sex abuse victim, Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, sponsored successful legislation last year that prompted a study of the matter by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations.

These efforts come as big institutions across the U.S., like the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church, face their own child sex abuse crises. It is not unusual for victims to come forward later in life only to find out that the statute of limitations limit their ability to hold people accountable for the abuse through the court system.

Because of all the similar legislation, Rep. Michael Curcio, chairman of the judiciary committee, explained on Wednesday that they met with the sponsors of those bills in order to put together one bill that addressed the issues best.

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"We tried to take the best aspects of each of those bills," Curcio, R-Dickson, said.

They determined that Dunn's bill would be the best vehicle for a more encompassing piece of legislation and Curcio put forward an amendment to that effect. The judiciary committee approved the amendment Wednesday.

As amended, the legislation would extend the criminal statute of limitations for the offenses listed in the bill to 25 years after the victim turns 18, Elizabeth Insogna, the committee's legislative attorney, said. Or they would be eliminated if there is admissible and credible evidence corroborating the charges, she said.

The legislation also would allow civil actions to be brought in child sex abuse cases up to 15 years after the victim turns 18 years old, Curcio said. The current statute is 7 years after the victim turns 18, he said.

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It also would require admissible and credible evidence for civil actions filed against someone other than the accused if it is brought more than one year after the victim turns 18, Curcio said.

The bill advances to the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. An amended companion bill is making its way through the state Senate.

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.