Michigan governor signs more bills inspired by Nassar case

Published Dec. 17, 2018 6:08 p.m. ET

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed more legislation inspired by the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case.

Laws enacted Monday will give judges more flexibility to admit evidence of a defendant's prior commission of a sex assault, stiffen prison terms related to child pornography and expand who can give a victim impact statement at a sentencing under certain circumstances.

Nassar, a 55-year-old former Michigan State University sports doctor who also worked at USA Gymnastics, is serving effective life sentences for child porn possession and molesting young women and girls under the guise of medical treatment.

Snyder's bill signings follow Michigan laws enacted earlier in the year to allow more time for civil lawsuits or criminal charges to be filed in childhood sex abuse cases.