HB370 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Civil procedure, to further provide for the statute of limitations for civil actions involving certain sex offenses, Sec. 6-2-8 am'd.

Summary

HB370 would expand and apply retroactively the time to sue civilly for injuries involving certain sex offenses, especially for minors and mentally incapacitated individuals.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the statute of limitations (Section 6-2-8) so that when the injury involves a sex offense described in Section 15-20A-5 and the plaintiff is under 19 or mentally incapacitated, the period to start a civil action is extended after the disability ends. It also makes these changes retroactive to offenses that occurred before the bill’s effective date. Additionally, it creates a two-year window for people who were previously time-barred under prior law to file a civil action.

Who It Affects

• Individuals under age 19 or insane at the time the claim accrues, whose injury arises from a sex offense described in Section 15-20A-5, who would receive an extended period after the disability ends to commence a civil action.
• Anyone who was time-barred from filing a civil action for damages from a sex offense under the old statute, who may now file within two years after the act becomes effective.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-2-8 to extend the statute of limitations for civil actions involving sex offenses when the claimant is under 19 or insane at accrual, with the extension applying after the disability ends.
• Provides retroactive application to sex offenses that occurred before the act’s effective date, regardless of the prior statute of limitations.
• Creates a two-year window for individuals who were time-barred under prior law to file a civil action for sex offense damages.
• Establishes the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month following its passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure