S 1188 Massachusetts Senate · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act extending the statute of limitations for certain actions involving international human rights abuses

This bill extends the time limit for victims to file civil lawsuits related to specific international human rights abuses. It allows victims of trafficking for forced labor or sexual servitude to file within 10 years of being freed (or until age 18 if a minor during the abuse), and covers lawsuits for torture, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and extrajudicial killings. The law applies retroactively to past cases and permits victims who win to recover attorney fees. It directly affects individuals who suffered these abuses, providing a longer window to seek legal remedies.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Feb 5, 2026
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
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to the committee on The Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors