Statutes of Limitations and Repose - As enacted, extends the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of certain child sexual abuse felonies from 25 years from the child's eighteenth birthday to 30 years from the child's eighteenth birthday; extends the statute of limitations for a civil action based on child sexual abuse from 15 years from the child's eighteenth birthday to 30 years from the child's eighteenth birthday. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 40, Chapter 2.
HB 973 extends time limits for legal action related to child sexual abuse in Tennessee. It increases the criminal prosecution window from 25 to 30 years after the victim turns 18, and the civil lawsuit window from 15 to 30 years after the victim turns 18. The law directly affects victims of child sexual abuse who wish to pursue legal action later in life. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 6, 2025
Signed Apr 24, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025 · House Apr 7, 2025
How they voted
34–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 35
Apr 10, 2025
D
Democratic7
85% Yea
R
Republican28
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
26
Key actions
12
Committee
9
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0, PNV 1
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/3/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/02/2025
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/2/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/19/2025
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jake McCalmon
RRepublican
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