Breaking News: Maryland Supreme Court Hears Case Challenging Child Victims Act, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Built in Disadvantaged Communities

[Voice of Hope September 12, 2024] (Voiceover: Yue Ning / Editor: Er Yu)Program duration: 2 minutes and 37 seconds

Program Summary

1. Maryland Supreme Court to Rule on Constitutionality of Child Victims Act

The Maryland Supreme Court is set to hear a case challenging the constitutionality of the Child Victims Act, a law passed last year that removes the time limit for sexual abuse victims to file lawsuits against their abusers. The previous law required victims to take legal action by age 38, but many victims came forward later.

David Schaper, a beneficiary of the bill, was sexually abused by a priest at the age of 9. He did not recall the incident until he was in his 40s and filed a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Washington after the bill was passed. The Archdiocese believes that the original statute of limitations cannot be changed and that the Child Victims Act is unconstitutional.

Lawyers representing the victims argue that the legislature has the power to change or eliminate the statute of limitations and that the Child Victims Act is constitutional. The Maryland Supreme Court is expected to rule within a year. Schaper expressed hope that the court will make the right decision for survivors and society, stating, “A crime against a child is a crime against society.”

2. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be Built in Disadvantaged Communities

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has announced that dozens of electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in disadvantaged communities in Maryland and Virginia. The project received a nearly $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

In Maryland, the charging stations will be located in Frederick County and Prince George’s County, while in Virginia, they will be located in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City and County, and Manassas. Approximately 60% of the charging stations will focus on serving disadvantaged and rural communities.

Maia Davis, senior environmental planner at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, stated that the project worked with regional officials to prioritize low-income and minority communities. Charging stations will be deployed in community centers, libraries, parks, recreation centers, historic districts, and low-income multi-family housing.

The project will also hold hearings in disadvantaged communities to collect residents’ feedback on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. Davis added that the goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The number of electric vehicles in the region has increased by 450% from 2016 to 2020.