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HB 121

Child sexual abuse; Legislature authorized to revive certain time-barred civil claims, constitutional amendment

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Donna Givens

Constitutional amendment allowing revival of time-barred child sexual abuse civil lawsuits in Alabama to provide survivor access to justice for historical claims.

Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
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Bill Summary · HB 121

Legislative bill overview

HB 121 is a constitutional amendment that would authorize the Alabama Legislature to revive civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse that have exceeded the statute of limitations. This would create a legal pathway for adult survivors to bring previously time-barred claims back to court, potentially decades after the abuse occurred.

Why is this important

Statutes of limitations typically prevent lawsuits after a set period, even if the harm was legitimate. This amendment addresses a critical gap for child sexual abuse survivors, many of whom don't disclose or pursue claims until adulthood due to trauma, memory suppression, or delayed realization of harm. Reviving these claims could provide survivors access to justice and hold accountable institutions or individuals that enabled abuse.

Potential points of contention

  • Fairness to defendants: Reviving decades-old claims makes it extremely difficult for accused individuals or organizations to mount effective legal defenses; witnesses may be unavailable, evidence lost, and memories unreliable after many years.
  • Institutional liability concerns: Churches, schools, and other organizations may face significant financial exposure from historical abuse claims, potentially affecting their operations or leading to bankruptcies.
  • Due process arguments: Some argue that sufficiently aged claims violate constitutional protections against stale litigation, as defendants have an interest in finality and repose from old legal exposure.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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