NORTH CAROLINA, USA — Author's note: The video above is on file from October 31, 2019.
Judges have ruled that a North Carolina law cannot temporarily lift the statute of limitations to allow people who were sexually abused as children decades ago to be able to sue in civil court.
The measure had passed the state legislature unanimously in 2019.
But a three-judge panel ruled Monday that the state constitution bars the legislature from reopening the statute of limitations.
The judges stressed that they felt bound by precedent and suggested that the issue may be better suited for the North Carolina Supreme Court to consider instead of the panel.
It was not immediately clear whether the ruling would be appealed.