In an undated photo provided by the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, Dr. Robert E. Anderson is shown. The president of the University of Michigan has apologized to "anyone who was harmed" by Anderson, a late doctor after several former students said he molested them during medical exams at the school.

LANSING (AP) — Victims of sexual abuse and lawmakers testified Thursday in support of legislation that would give accusers more time to sue for damages and would take away immunity for governmental bodies that knew or should have known about criminal sexual misconduct.

The legislation, which has support from both parties, could allow hundreds of men and women who have accused late University of Michigan sports doctor Robert Anderson of molestation to also sue.

Changes made in 2018 allowed people who were sexually abused as children to pursue legal action until their 28th birthday or three years from when they realize they have been abused. The new legislation would expand the option to adults and let them file suit until whenever is later: 10 years from when abuse happens, their 28th birthday, or six years — instead of three — from when they realize they were abused.

Democratic bill sponsor Rep. Karen Whitsett said if she could put no statute of limitations on filing for damages, she would. She told the state House Oversight Committee about being sexually assaulted by a medical professional and said it took her a long time to come forward about what happened.

.Republican bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Berman is leading the effort to repeal governmental immunity for agencies and employees, including state-funded universities, that knew or should have known about criminal sexual conduct.

Cathy Kalahar, who played for the University of Michigan’s first women’s tennis team in the 1970s, said when she told a university counselor that Anderson had assaulted her, the counselor told her she was simply experiencing a “sexual fantasy.”