Bill > AB250

This bill extends the statute of limitations for sexual assault civil claims in California, allowing survivors more time to file lawsuits against perpetrators and entities that may have covered up sexual assaults. Specifically, the bill revives claims for sexual assault that occurred on or after the plaintiff's 18th birthday and would have been previously barred by the statute of limitations, now extending the filing window from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. The bill defines a "cover up" as a concerted effort to hide evidence of sexual assault, such as using non-disclosure agreements, and allows plaintiffs to file claims against entities (like corporations or organizations) that either were legally responsible for the damages or attempted to conceal the assault. Importantly, the bill clarifies that failing to allege a cover-up for one entity does not prevent claims against other entities or the perpetrator, and it specifically exempts public entities from these provisions while prohibiting them from indemnifying sexual assault perpetrators. The legislation aims to provide sexual assault survivors with broader legal recourse and more time to seek justice, recognizing the complex nature of reporting and processing sexual trauma.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB250