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HB 613

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rolanda Hollis

Alabama bill revives child sexual abuse civil claims for 10 years, mandates awareness campaign, and prohibits retaliation against survivors filing suit.

Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
#civilprocedure
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Bill Summary · HB 613

Legislative bill overview

HB 613 revives civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations, allowing a 10-year window for victims to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred. The bill also mandates an Attorney General public awareness campaign about these rights and prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring such lawsuits.

Why is this important

Many child sexual abuse survivors face barriers to justice because statutes of limitations expire before they're ready or able to pursue legal action. This bill removes that temporal barrier for a defined period, potentially enabling hundreds of victims to seek compensation from perpetrators and institutions. The anti-discrimination provision protects survivors from losing employment, housing, or services for exercising legal rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Institutional liability concerns: Organizations, schools, and churches may face significant retroactive liability for decades-old allegations, potentially creating major financial and operational consequences
  • Evidentiary challenges: Cases involving events far in the past may lack witnesses, documentation, or reliable evidence, making defense difficult and creating fairness questions for defendants
  • Scope and duration: The 10-year revival window is arbitrary—critics may argue it's too short to help many survivors while supporters might contend it's too broad and creates unfair exposure for institutions

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

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