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IA SF184

IA SF184
A bill for an act modifying the periods of time to bring civil actions by victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, or sexual exploitation.

summary

Introduced
02/03/2025
In Committee
02/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill provides that there is no time limitation to bring civil actions relating to sexual abuse, human trafficking, or exploitation of a minor regardless of the theory of liability in the action. Under current Code section 614.1(12), a civil action for damages for injury suffered as result of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, school employee, or adult providing training or instruction can only be brought within five years after the date that the victim was either last treated by the counselor or therapist or last enrolled in or attended the school. Current Code section 614.8A provides a four-year limitation for civil actions of sexual abuse against a child not discovered until after the injured person is of the age of majority. These provisions are stricken or repealed to the extent they are duplicative or inconsistent with the bill. If an action was previously dismissed before the effective date of the bill on the grounds that it was time-barred or because the party failed to file a petition, the bill provides the party the right to file a revival action. The bill also provides that state tort claims and tort liability of governmental subdivisions statutes of limitations do not apply to sexual abuse, human trafficking, or exploitation of a minor actions. The bill takes effect upon enactment.

AI Summary

This bill dramatically changes the statute of limitations for civil actions related to sexual abuse, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of minors in Iowa. The legislation eliminates time restrictions for victims to bring civil lawsuits for damages resulting from these types of abuse, regardless of the specific legal theory used. Previously, victims of sexual abuse by counselors, therapists, school employees, or other instructors were limited to filing claims within five years of their last interaction with the abuser. The bill also repeals existing time limitation provisions and allows for the revival of previously time-barred claims, meaning victims whose cases were previously dismissed due to expired statutes of limitations can now refile their lawsuits. Additionally, the bill explicitly states that state tort claims and governmental subdivision tort liability time limitations do not apply to sexual abuse, human trafficking, or sexual exploitation of a minor cases. The legislation covers various forms of sexual abuse as defined in Iowa's legal code, including specific sections related to sexual abuse degrees, exploitation by authority figures, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of minors. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, providing a potentially significant legal pathway for survivors of sexual abuse to seek justice, even for past incidents that would have previously been considered too old to prosecute.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Subcommittee: Schultz, Blake, and Bousselot. S.J. 194. (on 02/04/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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