An Act relative to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse

This bill expands the ability of survivors of child sexual abuse in Massachusetts to file civil lawsuits against their abusers. It achieves this by adding child sexual abuse claims to the list of cases eligible for special legal protections under the state's tort reform laws. Specifically, the legislation allows these survivors to bypass the standard three-year deadline for filing a lawsuit by starting the clock only after they make the connection between the abuse and their current harm. To support this change, the bill requires a licensed mental health professional to provide an opinion confirming that the survivor's delayed reaction was typical for victims of childhood trauma. These provisions aim to ensure that survivors have a fair opportunity to seek justice regardless of when they realize the impact of their past abuse.