This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, specifically section 5851b, to provide updated provisions regarding the time limits for victims of criminal sexual conduct to file lawsuits for damages. Notably, the bill allows individuals who were victims of such conduct to commence legal action at any time before ten years after the claim accrues, or before they reach the age of 42, or within seven years after discovering their injury and its causal relationship to the conduct. Additionally, it introduces a provision that allows for unlimited time to file a claim if there is a criminal prosecution that results in a conviction for criminal sexual conduct.

The bill also revives claims for individuals who were victims of criminal sexual conduct after December 31, 1996, allowing them to file lawsuits within one year after the effective date of the amendatory act, provided certain conditions regarding the defendant's conviction are met. Furthermore, it establishes a cap of $1,500,000 in damages that a single claimant can recover from a single defendant for each incident of criminal sexual conduct. The definitions of "adjudication" and "criminal sexual conduct" are also updated to align with current legal terminology.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 600.5851
As Passed by the Senate: 600.5851