HB613 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rolanda HollisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Child sexual abuse; time-barred civil claims revived for period of 10 years, Attorney General required to conduct public awareness campaign, discrimination for bringing suit prohibited

Summary

HB613 would revive time-barred civil claims for child sexual abuse, create a 10-year window to sue, require an AG public awareness campaign, and prohibit discrimination against survivors, contingent on a constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

Revives civil claims that were previously time-barred for sex offenses against someone who was under 19 at the time of the offense, allowing them to be filed within 10 years after the act’s effective date. Allows revived claims to be brought against either the person who committed the sex offense or entities entrusted with the well-being of minors that knew or should have known about the abuse and failed to prevent it. The Attorney General must run a public awareness campaign informing survivors of their rights and available resources, and the bill prohibits retaliation or discrimination against survivors who file these claims.

Who It Affects

• Survivors of child sexual abuse, who would gain a new opportunity to pursue civil claims for offenses that occurred while they were under 19, within a 10-year window after the act takes effect.
• Offenders and organizations that care for minors (such as religious institutions, private schools, health care providers, social service agencies, and youth organizations), who could face revived civil claims if they knew or should have known and failed to prevent the abuse.

Key Provisions

• Revives time-barred civil claims for sex offenses against a minor, allowing them to be commenced within 10 years of the act's effective date.
• Claims may be brought against the individual who committed the sex offense or against entities entrusted with minors' well-being that knew or should have known and did not take steps to prevent the abuse.
• Attorney General must develop and implement a public awareness campaign about survivors' rights under the act and the revived time period, including resources to assist survivors.
• No employer, institution, or other entity may retaliate against individuals who file a claim under this act.
• Effective date of the act is January 1, 2027, contingent on ratification of a constitutional amendment authorizing revival of time-barred rights relating to child sexual abuse.
• The act is titled 'The Light of Justice Act.'

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