HB52 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rolanda HollisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB52 would revive time-barred civil claims for sexual offenses against minors for a 10-year window, contingent on a constitutional amendment, and require an Attorney General public awareness campaign and anti-discrimination protections for survivors.

What This Bill Does

If the constitutional amendment is ratified, the bill revives civil claims previously time-barred for sex offenses against someone under 19 and allows them to be filed within 10 years after the act’s effective date. The effective date is January 1, 2027, contingent on the amendment’s ratification. Claims may be brought against both the person who committed the offense and any entity that cares for minors and knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to prevent it. The Attorney General would run a public awareness campaign and provide resources to help survivors pursue these claims, and retaliation against claimants would be prohibited.

Who It Affects

• Survivors of sexual abuse who previously had time-barred civil claims against offenders or responsible institutions, who may now pursue those claims within a 10-year window after the act takes effect.
• Organizations and individuals responsible for minors (such as religious institutions, private schools, healthcare providers, social service groups) that could face revived liability if they knew or should have known about abuse and did not take steps to prevent it.

Key Provisions

• Revives time-barred civil claims for sex offenses against minors for 10 years after the act’s effective date (effective date of January 1, 2027, contingent on ratification).
• Permits suits against both the offender and entities entrusted with minors that knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to prevent it (including religious, private academic, healthcare, social service, and youth organizations).
• Requires the Attorney General to develop and implement a public awareness campaign informing survivors of revived rights and available resources.
• Prohibits retaliation by employers or institutions against individuals who file claims under this act.
• Declares the act’s effectiveness contingent on ratification of a constitutional amendment authorizing revival of time-barred rights relating to sexual abuse of a minor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Civil Procedure