SB 421 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Increase time period to bring civil action for sex offense victim

Summary
To amend section 2305.111 of the Revised Code to increase the period of limitations for a civil action for a victim of a sex offense to five years and to amend the version of section 2305.111 of the Revised Code that is scheduled to take effect on October 12, 2028, to continue the change on and after that date.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 14, 2026 Last action Jun 16, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced As Passed by the Senate · 5 edits · Jun 10, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits regarding childhood sexual abuse in Ohio, extending the filing deadline to twelve years. It also clarifies specific definitions of abuse and the circumstances under which it occurs, while repealing the previous version of the law and setting a future effective date for these changes.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope by explicitly defining 'childhood sexual abuse' to include specific relationships (like clergy or coaches) and situations (like medical treatment), ensuring these are covered under the new statute of limitations.
DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for 'childhood sexual abuse,' 'cleric,' 'licensed medical professional,' and other terms to clarify exactly what conduct is covered.

TIMELINE

Extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases from five years to twelve years, with the accrual date set to when the victim reaches the age of majority.

Included a provision that repeals the existing version of the law scheduled to take effect in 2028 and sets the new changes to take effect on that same date.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly listed specific scenarios and relationships (e.g., abuse by a teacher, coach, or cleric) that qualify as childhood sexual abuse under the new law.

TECHNICAL

Removed the previous version of the statute and replaced it with the new text to ensure consistency and avoid confusion.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 11, 2026

How they voted

330
Passed
Total votes 33
Jun 11, 2026
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican24
24 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Jun 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
lower
Jun 11, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (33-0)
senate
Jun 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors