The bill, S.B. No. 1167, proposes significant amendments to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code regarding the limitations periods for personal injury suits arising from specific offenses against children or disabled individuals. It eliminates the existing two-year limitations period for such suits, allowing individuals to bring forth claims at any time if the injury results from violations of certain Penal Code sections related to sexual assault, continuous sexual abuse, trafficking, and indecency with a child. The bill also redesignates a section of the code to establish that there is no limitations period for these specific personal injury claims.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for retroactive application, meaning that it will apply to causes of action arising from child sexual abuse that occurred before the effective date of the Act, regardless of any prior statutes of limitations. However, it clarifies that the changes will not affect judgments in litigation that were finalized before the effective date or where the previous limitations period was not determinative. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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