This bill modifies the time limits for bringing civil actions related to sexual abuse and other sexual offenses that occurred when the victim was a minor. It establishes that victims who were minors at the time of the abuse can file actions within ten years from the time they discover the injury and its causal relationship to the abuse, or within ten years from reaching the age of majority, whichever is later. This contrasts with the existing law, which allows only five years for victims aged 18 or older. Additionally, the bill revives claims that were previously barred due to expired limitations, allowing them to be filed within three years of the bill's effective date.

Furthermore, the bill provides a preference in trial order for certain cases, specifically those revived under the new provisions or those deemed by the supreme court to serve the interests of justice for early trial. The district court is instructed to try civil cases in the order they are filed, but with the specified preferences. The bill also includes provisions for serving notice of a motion for preference alongside the petition. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 602.1205, 614.1, 709.1, 614.8