Civil procedure: statute of limitations; civil actions for criminal sexual conduct; extend period of limitations, and add grace period for past occurrences. Amends sec. 5851b of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5851b). TIE BAR WITH: SB 258'25, SB 259'25
Senate Bill 257 extends the time limit for civil lawsuits filed by individuals who were victims of criminal sexual conduct as minors. It raises the age by which a victim can file a claim from 28 to 42 years old and increases the period for filing after discovering the injury from three to seven years. The bill also allows these lawsuits to be brought at any time if a criminal conviction for the
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 23, 2025
Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Senate Introduced Bill
→
As Passed by the Senate
·
6 edits
·
May 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends Michigan's statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to criminal sexual conduct committed against minors. It extends the time limit for filing lawsuits, clarifies when the statute of limitations begins to run, and establishes a $1.5 million cap on damages from a single defendant for incidents barred by time limits. The changes aim to provide more time for survivors to seek legal remedies while maintaining some financial limits on recoverable damages.
Scope change
The bill expands the time window for filing civil lawsuits by extending the age limit from 28 to 42 years and adding a 7-year discovery period, while also creating an exception for cases involving medical professionals who abused their authority.
TIMELINE
Extended the age limit for filing lawsuits from 28 years to 42 years after the incident.
Added a 7-year discovery period allowing lawsuits to be filed within 7 years of discovering the injury and its connection to the sexual conduct.
ELIGIBILITY
Created an exception allowing unlimited lawsuits if there was a criminal conviction resulting from the conduct.
Added revival provision for claims barred by time limits if the defendant was convicted of sexual conduct against a minor and admitted specific misconduct.
REQUIREMENT
Established a $1.5 million cap on damages recoverable from a single defendant for incidents that were previously time-barred.
DEFINITION
Updated the definition of 'criminal sexual conduct' to include specific sections of the Michigan penal code.
Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2025
How they voted
25–13
Passed
Total votes 38
May 20, 2025
D
Democratic19
100% Yea
R
Republican19
68% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
3
Committee
5
May 20, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Government Operations
lower
May 20, 2025
Introduced
received on 05/20/2025
lower
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 140 YEAS 25 NAYS 9 EXCUSED 3 NOT VOTING 0
upper
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)
upper
May 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 5/6/2025
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR KEVIN HERTEL
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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