HB53 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rolanda HollisRepresentative

Democrat

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Child sexual abuse; Legislature authorized to revive lapsed rights or remedies, constitutional amendment

Summary

This proposed constitutional amendment would allow Alabama to revive time-barred rights or remedies related to child sexual abuse through general law.

What This Bill Does

If ratified, Section 95 would permit the Legislature to revive any right or remedy relating to sexual abuse of a minor that has become time-barred, via general law. It would continue to prohibit laws that destroy or impair remedies after a suit has begun and would not remove ongoing defenses already in place. The revival would be limited to rights or remedies connected to child sexual abuse and would not automatically apply to other time-barred claims.

Who It Affects

• Survivors of child sexual abuse whose previously time-barred rights or remedies could be revived through future general-law action.
• The Legislature and state courts/agencies involved in drafting, applying, and adjudicating revived claims under new general laws.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 95 of the Alabama Constitution of 2022 to add a general-law power for revival of time-barred rights or remedies related to sexual abuse of a minor.
• Maintains the rule that the Legislature cannot revive or destroy remedies after suit has begun and cannot remove an existing action or defense once filed.
• Limits the revival authority to rights/remedies tied to minor sexual abuse and requires general-law action to implement revival.
• Requires voter approval in a statewide election for the amendment to become part of the Constitution, with standard ballot description and ratification process.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments Statewide