The bill amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to eliminate the limitations periods for suits related to personal injury arising from specific offenses against children or disabled individuals. Notably, it introduces a new section, 16.0046, which allows individuals to bring a suit for personal injury at any time if the injury results from certain serious offenses, including sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child, and other related crimes. This change removes the previous requirement that such suits must be filed within 30 years of the cause of action accruing.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the changes apply retroactively to causes of action arising from child sexual abuse that occurred before the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. However, it clarifies that the new provisions will not affect any judgments in litigation that were finalized before this date. The bill aims to provide greater access to justice for victims of these serious offenses by removing the constraints of the statute of limitations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.003, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.0045 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16)