Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act
Rep. Subramanyam and Rep. Salazar Push Bill to End Time Limits on Child Abuse Lawsuits and Charges
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and is being reviewed by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It was recently introduced and is actively moving forward. There are no other scheduled actions at this time.
Legislative Progress
The bill has support from both parties and addresses a major public safety issue, but it must still pass through committees and compete for funding in a busy legislative calendar.
Key Points
- This bill would give federal grants to states that remove time limits on filing criminal charges or civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse. States that make more changes to their laws would get a bigger share of the money.
From policy text
“The Secretary of Health and Human Services may make grants to States that are eligible to receive an award under section 107 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act”
View in full text - States would be encouraged to revive old civil claims that had already expired, giving victims at least two years or until they turn 55 to file a lawsuit, whichever is longer.
From policy text
“The revival of previously time-barred civil claims for child sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex trafficking against perpetrators, other individuals, and public and private entities, which, at a minimum, permits previously time-barred claims a 2-year period or until a victim reaches age 55, whichever is longer.”
View in full text - The bill recognizes that most child abuse victims wait decades to come forward. Research cited in the bill says the average victim does not disclose their abuse until after age 52.
From policy text
“Due to the subversive nature of this crime, the average age of disclosure of child sexual abuse does not occur until a victim is over 52 years old.”
View in full text - The bill authorizes $20 million per year from 2026 through 2033 to fund grants for states that reform their laws. States achieving all three reforms (eliminating civil statutes of limitations, criminal statutes of limitations, and reviving old claims) would receive the largest share of funding.
From policy text
“There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2033.”
View in full text - Victims could seek justice not only against abusers but also against institutions and organizations that failed to protect them, including both public and private entities.
From policy text
“The elimination of all State civil statutes of limitations for claims of, related to, or arising from, child sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex trafficking, against perpetrators, other individuals, and public and private entities.”
View in full text
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articlesThe Four Shields That Endanger Children
Legal analysis of H.R. 5560, led by Reps. Suhas Subramanyam and Maria Salazar. The bill seeks to dismantle the 'statute of limitations shield' by providing federal incentives for states to remove deadlines for reporting abuse and allow for revival windows for past claims.
Maryland, Maine, Vermont completely remove statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases
Coverage of the state-level movement to abolish statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse. The report highlights research showing that survivors typically do not come forward until their 50s, a key finding that underpins the federal Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(3)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.