Child sexual abuse; statute of limitations extended and further provided for, certain time-barred civil claims revived

SB 44 extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse in Alabama. Survivors who were under 19 during the abuse can now file claims up to 20 years after turning 19 or two years after the perpetrator’s criminal conviction (whichever is later), instead of the current six-year window. The bill also revives time-barred claims filed by January 1, 2029, and removes barriers like notice requirements, damage caps, and immunity protections for claims involving abuse occurring on or after October 1, 2026. It applies to cases against perpetrators or negligent organizations (like schools or care facilities) that failed to prevent or address the abuse. This change aims to align legal timelines with the reality of delayed disclosures by survivors.