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HB 1301

Civil Procedure - As introduced, revives causes of action based on a sexual assault that occurred when the injured party was 18 years of age or older and are time-barred because the applicable statute of limitations has expired; allows such actions to be commenced within a certain time period. - Amends TCA Title 28, Chapter 3; Title 39 and Title 40.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Rusty Grills

Tennessee bill revives expired civil lawsuits for adult sexual assault survivors, creating a limited window to seek damages beyond normal statute of limitations deadlines.

Placed on s/c cal Civil Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1301

Legislative bill overview

HB 1301 creates a limited window for individuals to sue for sexual assault that occurred when they were adults, even if the normal statute of limitations has expired. The bill amends Tennessee's civil procedure code to revive these time-barred claims, allowing previously impossible lawsuits to proceed under specific conditions.

Why is this important

Sexual assault survivors often face significant delays in coming forward due to trauma, shame, or fear—meaning claims expire before they're filed. This bill would give survivors a second chance to seek civil damages (money) from perpetrators long after the normal deadline has passed. The change could increase accountability and compensation for adult survivors while imposing new liability risks on defendants and potentially institutions with knowledge of past assaults.

Potential points of contention

  • Statute of limitations trade-offs: Defendants have relied on expired deadlines as finality; reopening old cases creates uncertainty and challenges finding evidence/witnesses after many years
  • Scope questions: The bill's specific time window and eligibility criteria are unclear from this summary—does it apply to all assaults or certain types; are there caps on how far back claims can go
  • Institutional liability: Organizations and employers could face significant exposure for assaults their employees committed years ago, potentially affecting insurance costs and organizational resources

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

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