An Act extending the civil statute of limitations for child abuse

This bill extends the time limit for filing civil lawsuits regarding child abuse in Massachusetts to 35 years from the date of the abuse or seven years from when the victim discovers the emotional injury, whichever is later. It directly affects survivors of abuse who were previously barred from seeking legal compensation if they waited too long to come forward, as the clock on their claims is paused until they turn 18. The law also covers cases where a defendant was negligent in supervising the abuser or contributed to the abuse, ensuring these claims follow the same extended timeline. Crucially, the act applies retroactively, meaning it allows individuals to file claims even if the original statute of limitations has already expired.