S 1038 Massachusetts Senate · 193rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act eliminating the statute of limitation in civil child sexual abuse cases

This bill removes the time limit on filing civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse in Massachusetts, allowing survivors to seek compensation regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. It specifically permits victims to sue for damages against the individuals who committed the abuse as well as against employers or supervisors if negligence is proven. The law applies to cases that happened before, during, or after the bill's passage, ensuring that past claims are not automatically barred by the state's usual legal time limits.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Feb 2023
House Passage
May 2024
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2023 Last action May 22, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
3
Committee
1
May 22, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Apr 16, 2024
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors