Bill > SB577

This bill introduces several significant changes to California law, primarily focusing on legal procedures related to childhood sexual assault cases, public entity liability, and financial mechanisms for government entities. It shortens the statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault cases that occurred before January 1, 2024, reducing the time to file from 5 years to 3 years after discovering psychological injury. For actions against public entities filed on or after April 15, 2025, by plaintiffs 40 years or older, the bill increases the standard of liability to gross negligence and allows courts to structure judgments to be paid over time. The bill specifically requires all cases involving sexual assault at the MacLaren Children's Center or Los Angeles County juvenile facilities to be filed by January 1, 2026. Additionally, it modifies procedural requirements for filing such cases, including mandatory certificates of merit for plaintiffs 40 and older, and prohibits treble damages against public entities. The bill also provides new provisions for school districts to manage emergency apportionments and allows local public entities to initiate bond validity actions before tort judgment entry, with a rebuttable presumption of bond validity. These changes aim to balance survivor rights, public entity protections, and procedural clarity in sexual assault litigation and government financial matters.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB577