This bill addresses child sexual abuse by prohibiting the concealment of details related to such claims and ensuring that the identifying information of victims remains confidential. It establishes that any settlement agreement aimed at hiding the details of child sexual abuse claims is void and unenforceable, reinforcing the public policy against such concealment. The bill also clarifies that this provision applies to agreements made before, on, or after the effective date of the act, with specific exceptions for agreements that have already been initiated and have received a declaratory judgment confirming their enforceability.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law regarding the prosecution of sexual crimes against children, allowing such prosecutions to be initiated at any time after the commission of the offense, rather than being limited by the victim's age. It specifies that prosecutions for these crimes may proceed if physical evidence is preserved and DNA testing can establish probable cause, or if the accused has confessed. The bill also includes provisions to prevent the use of repressed memories as the sole basis for prosecution and establishes penalties for individuals who knowingly make false claims. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-152