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 and amends existing sections to reflect these changes, specifically introducing a new section, 16.0046, which states that there is no limitations period for these types of personal injury claims.

Additionally, the bill stipulates 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 these changes will not affect any judgments in litigation that became final prior to this date. The intent of the bill is to provide greater access to justice for victims of child and disabled individual abuse by removing barriers related to 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)