Bill > SB21

This bill modifies Alabama's statute of limitations for civil actions involving sex offenses, primarily extending the timeframe for individuals who were minors or incapacitated at the time of the offense to file legal claims. Specifically, the bill changes the existing law to allow individuals who were under 19 years old when a sex offense occurred to file a civil action within 36 years after the termination of their disability (previously 6 years), with a critical retroactive provision. The bill provides a two-year window following October 1, 2025, for individuals who were previously time-barred from filing civil actions due to expired statutes of limitations to now bring forward their cases. This means that survivors of sex offenses who were unable to pursue legal action because of prior time restrictions will have an opportunity to seek justice, even for offenses that occurred before the law's effective date. The legislation aims to provide more comprehensive legal recourse for survivors of sexual offenses by acknowledging that trauma and the ability to report or pursue legal action can take significant time, especially for victims who were minors when the offense occurred. The bill will become effective on October 1, 2025, giving survivors an expanded opportunity to seek legal remedies for past sexual offenses.

Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search