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HB 108

Civil procedure; statute of limitations for civil actions involving certain sex offenses, further provided for

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Donna Givens

HB 108 extends Alabama's civil statute of limitations for sex offense lawsuits, allowing victims more time to file claims against alleged perpetrators and responsible parties.

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Bill Summary · HB 108

Legislative bill overview

HB 108 modifies Alabama's civil statute of limitations for lawsuits involving certain sex offenses. The bill appears designed to extend the time period during which victims can bring civil claims against perpetrators of sexual abuse, potentially removing or extending existing time barriers that currently prevent older cases from proceeding.

Why is this important

Sexual abuse survivors often experience delayed disclosure due to trauma, psychological effects, and barriers to coming forward. Extending statutes of limitations directly affects victims' legal remedies and accountability for perpetrators, while also having implications for defendants facing claims from decades past.

Potential points of contention

  • Retroactive application: Whether the extended statute applies to claims arising from offenses that occurred before the law's passage, potentially exposing individuals to liability for old allegations
  • Defendant protections: Concerns about defendants' ability to mount effective legal defenses when evidence degrades, witnesses become unavailable, or memories fade over decades
  • Fiscal impact: Potential liability exposure for institutions (schools, organizations, churches) and increased litigation costs, which may be passed to taxpayers or members

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

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