Bill > S1169

This bill enhances legal protections and remedies for survivors of childhood sexual abuse by making several significant changes to Massachusetts state law. Specifically, the bill removes existing limitations on damages for sexual abuse claims involving minors, eliminates time restrictions for filing tort actions related to sexual abuse, and allows survivors to bring lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred. The legislation applies retroactively, meaning survivors can pursue legal action for past abuse even if previous statutes of limitations would have prevented such claims. For public entities like government agencies or institutions, damages can be awarded against organizations that employed or supervised the abuser only if negligence is proven. The bill also expands the definition of actionable claims to include not just direct sexual abuse, but also negligent supervision that allowed abuse to occur. Importantly, these legal provisions will take effect on July 31, 2026, and cover all childhood sexual abuse cases, providing survivors with broader opportunities to seek justice and compensation for harm suffered, regardless of when the abuse took place.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1169