SB19 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

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

Summary

SB19 would extend the time to sue in civil cases involving certain sex offenses, add retroactive relief, and create a temporary window for claims previously barred.

What This Bill Does

It changes how long someone has to sue when the injury involves a sex offense described in Section 15-20A-5 by extending the filing period after a disability (like being under 19 or being insane) ends. The bill applies retroactively to offenses that occurred before October 1, 2024 and provides a longer period to start the action after the disability ends for those cases. It creates a two-year window, starting October 1, 2024, for people who were previously time-barred to file civil actions for sex offenses. It also limits the extension by a cap of 20 years from when the claim accrued and clarifies timing when multiple disabilities exist, with an effective date of October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Victims under 19 years old or who are insane whose injuries come from sex offenses described in Section 15-20A-5, who would gain a longer period to file after their disability ends.
• People who had civil actions for sex offenses time-barred before October 1, 2024, who may file a civil action within a two-year period beginning October 1, 2024.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-2-8 to modify tolling rules for disabilities (such as minority or insanity) related to civil actions, with a longer period after the disability ends and an overall cap of 20 years from accrual.
• For sex offenses described in Section 15-20A-5, provides a longer filing period after disability ends and applies this retroactively to offenses prior to October 1, 2024.
• Creates a two-year window beginning October 1, 2024, for individuals who were time-barred before that date to file civil actions related to sex offenses.
• Specifies that the act becomes effective October 1, 2024.

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