HARRISBURG - The state House approved a bill Thursday night to allow expert witnesses to testify for the prosecution in rape cases and sent it to Gov. Corbett, who is expected to sign it.
The bill, approved without debate, will end Pennsylvania's status as the only state without such a law.
"This is a bipartisan victory," said Rep. Cherelle L. Parker (D., Phila.), who joined with cosponsor Kate Harper (R., Montgomery) in thanking their House colleagues.
Sponsors said the legislation would allow experts to help victims at trial by describing for jurors the dynamics of sexual violence and - for example - offer explanations for why a victim did not immediately report the attack go to a hospital.
