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SB 259

Civil procedure: statute of limitations; statute of limitations for criminal sexual conduct violations; revise statute of limitations and notice requirements for actions against state government. Amends sec. 6452 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.6452). TIE BAR WITH: SB 258'25, SB 257'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Hertel and 1 co-sponsor

Michigan extends statute of limitations for sexual conduct victims to sue and modifies state government notice requirements, expanding legal recourse but increasing state liability exposure.

referred to Committee on Government Operations
#civilprocedure:statuteoflimitations #crimes:assaultive #crimes:crimesagainstminors #crimes:criminalsexualconduct
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 259

Legislative bill overview

SB 259 revises Michigan's statute of limitations for civil actions involving criminal sexual conduct violations and modifies notice requirements for lawsuits against state government. The bill amends the state's civil procedure code to extend timeframes within which victims can file claims related to sexual misconduct.

Why is this important

Sexual abuse survivors often experience delayed disclosure due to trauma, psychological barriers, and shame, meaning they may not file suit within traditional statute of limitations windows. This bill directly addresses barriers to justice by giving survivors extended legal recourse, while also affecting the state's litigation exposure and budget planning for potential settlements.

Potential points of contention

  • Retroactive application concerns: Whether the extended statute of limitations applies to past claims previously time-barred raises questions about fairness, finality of prior judgments, and potential fiscal impact on the state budget
  • State liability exposure: Expanding the window to sue state government increases potential damages claims against Michigan, which may require budget reallocation or impact state agency operations
  • Notice requirement changes: Modifications to how the state must be notified of claims could create procedural disputes and litigation over technical compliance rather than substantive justice

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

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