SB21 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

SB21 would significantly extend and add new filing windows for civil lawsuits involving certain sex offenses, with retroactive and future-effective changes.

What This Bill Does

It changes how long people have to sue in civil cases involving certain sex offenses, especially for victims who were under 19 or legally incapacitated, by allowing up to 36 years after disability ends to file. It applies retroactively to offenses occurring before October 1, 2025, and creates a two-year window (from October 1, 2025) for people who were previously time-barred to file. It also clarifies how overlapping disabilities affect the deadline and sets October 1, 2025 as the law's effective date.

Who It Affects

• Victims who were under 19 years old or insane when the claim accrued and whose injury involves a sex offense, as described in Section 15-20A-5, who would have up to 36 years after their disability ends to file.
• Victims of sex offenses described in Section 15-20A-5 whose offenses occurred before October 1, 2025, for whom the new retroactive rules apply.
• Individuals who were time-barred from filing before October 1, 2025 due to expiration of the statute, who may file within a two-year window starting October 1, 2025.
• Generally, all victims of the sex offenses described, who are affected by the expanded time limits and retroactive provisions.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 6-2-8 to extend the time to commence civil actions for injuries involving certain sex offenses, including a general rule for disability-based extensions and a maximum 20-year cap from when the claim accrued.
• For victims under 19 or insane whose injury arises from a sex offense described in Section 15-20A-5, the filing period is expanded to 36 years after the disability ends.
• Retroactive application to sex offenses that occurred prior to October 1, 2025, regardless of the statute of limitations in effect at the time of the offense.
• If a person was time-barred before October 1, 2025, they may file a civil action within two years after October 1, 2025.
• If both disabilities (e.g., age-based and mental incapacity) exist at accrual, the deadline does not start until both disabilities are removed.
• A disability that did not exist when the claim accrued does not suspend the limitation unless explicitly provided.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

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