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SB 254 Alabama Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Civil procedure, statute of limitations for civil actions involving certain sex offenses further provided for

SB 254 modifies the statute of limitations for civil actions involving sex offenses. The bill specifically extends the time frame for victims to file a civil lawsuit against the actual alleged perpetrator of a sex offense. Under the bill, victims would have the greater of 20 years after the termination of a disability, or two years after the alleged perpetrator's criminal conviction or guilty plea, to commence an action. This extended timeline pauses during any criminal prosecution of the underlying offense and only applies to actions against the alleged perpetrator, not other parties.
Issues: ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends civil statute of limitations for sex offense victims, enhancing victim access to justice and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of protecting civil rights.85% confidence
Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 18, 2025 Last action May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Judiciary 1st Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends Alabama's statute of limitations for civil actions involving sex offenses, extending the time victims have to file lawsuits. It specifically addresses victims with disabilities and clarifies rules for suing the actual alleged perpetrator versus other parties.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of protection to include victims with disabilities and clarifies that the extended statute of limitations applies differently when suing the actual alleged perpetrator compared to other parties.
ELIGIBILITY

Changed the language from 'anyone' to 'any individual' to clarify who is entitled to file the action.

Added special rules for actions against the actual alleged perpetrator, allowing a longer time period (20 years after disability ends or 2 years after conviction).

TIMELINE

Added specific provision that for victims with disabilities, the six-year statute of limitations begins after the termination of their disability.

Added rule that the statute of limitations tolls (pauses) during criminal prosecution of the underlying offense, starting from indictment.

REQUIREMENT

Added provision that the extended time period does not apply to actions against parties other than the alleged perpetrator, even under vicarious liability doctrines.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary)
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.