The bill, titled the Cindy Clemishire Act, proposes significant changes to the limitations periods for personal injury lawsuits arising from specific offenses against children or disabled individuals. It amends Section 16.003(a) of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include new provisions that allow individuals to bring suits for personal injury at any time if the injury results from certain serious offenses, including sexual assault and trafficking. The previous limitation of 30 years for filing such suits has been removed, effectively eliminating the time constraints for these specific cases.

Additionally, the bill redesignates and amends Section 16.0045, now referred to as Section 16.0046, to clarify that there is no limitations period for personal injury suits related to the specified offenses. The changes in law will only apply to causes of action that accrue on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Any causes of action that accrued before this date will continue to be governed by the existing law.

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