(JUNEAU) - The Alaska State Senate unanimously approved House Bill 2 by a vote of 20 to zero on Wednesday. Sponsored by Representative Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), HB 2 adds Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor, a class B felony, to the list of sexual assault crimes that have no civil statute of limitations.

"In the previous move to remove the statute of limitations on felony sex offenses, class B felonies were not included," Meyer said. "Now all felony sexual assault offenses no longer have a civil statute of limitations."

HB 2 also establishes a three-year civil statute of limitations for misdemeanor sexual assault, misdemeanor sexual abuse of a minor, incest, and felony indecent exposure.

"The statute of limitations dropped to two years when other changes were made to this law a few years ago," Meyer said. "This changes it back to three years for sexual misdemeanors as well as felony indecent exposure."

HB 2 awaits transmittal to the Governor for approval.

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