Bill > SB37

This bill modifies the rules for when a legal claim, or cause of action, can be filed for personal injury resulting from sexual abuse that occurred when a person was a child (infancy) or unable to make decisions for themselves (incapacity). Currently, such claims generally accrue, meaning the clock starts ticking for filing a lawsuit, when the disability of infancy or incapacity is removed, or when the injury and its link to the abuse are communicated by a medical professional. This bill adds a third condition: the cause of action will also accrue when "corroborative evidence" is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered through due diligence. Corroborative evidence is defined broadly to include physical evidence (like biological samples or records), witness statements about the abuse or similar acts by the accused, or a confession or admission from the accused. The bill also clarifies that "sexual abuse" refers to definitions found in other Virginia laws related to sexual offenses.

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https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB37