Bill > SB903

This bill extends the time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing certain civil lawsuits related to human rights abuses. Previously, many such actions had to be filed within one year of the incident. Now, for civil actions arising from conduct that constitutes a federal offense (like torture, genocide, or war crimes) or a "crime against humanity" (which includes acts such as murder, extermination, enslavement, rape, or persecution committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against civilians), the statute of limitations is extended to 10 years. This also applies to actions for assault, battery, false imprisonment, wrongful death, or benefits under an insurance policy if they stem from these severe human rights violations. Additionally, lawsuits concerning the unlawful taking of property under international law also have a 10-year statute of limitations if the property is in the United States or owned by a foreign state engaged in commercial activity here. The bill applies retroactively to any cause of action that arose on or after October 1, 2006, and its provisions are declared severable, meaning if one part is found invalid, the rest will still stand.