This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961, specifically section 5851b, to provide updated provisions regarding the time limits for individuals who are victims of criminal sexual conduct to file for damages. Notably, the bill allows individuals to commence an 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.

Furthermore, the bill revives claims for individuals who were victims of criminal sexual conduct before the effective date of the amendatory act, allowing them to file for damages within one year of the act's effective date, provided certain conditions regarding the defendant's conviction are met. The bill also sets a cap on damages, stating that a single claimant may not recover more than $1,500,000 for damages arising from each incident. 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