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HB 2022

Relating to elimination of limitations periods for suits for personal injury arising from certain offenses against a child or disabled individual.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Morgan Meyer

Texas bill eliminates time limits for civil suits by child and disabled abuse victims, enabling decades-old claims but raising due process and institutional liability concerns.

Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
#civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #crimes--againstpersons--sexual(i0171) #disabilities #personswith(i0380) #minors--crimesagainst(i0532) #statutesoflimitations(s0065)
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Bill Summary · HB 2022

Legislative bill overview

HB 2022 would eliminate the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits filed by victims of certain offenses against children or disabled individuals in Texas. This means survivors could file personal injury suits related to these crimes at any point in the future, rather than being restricted by current time limits that typically range from 2-15 years depending on the offense.

Why is this important

Survivors of abuse often take years or decades to come forward due to trauma, shame, and psychological barriers. Removing time restrictions could enable justice and compensation for historical cases that would otherwise be legally barred. However, this represents a significant shift in civil litigation procedures that could affect defendants' ability to mount defenses and insurers' claims management.

Potential points of contention

  • Due process concerns: Defendants' ability to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and mount a fair defense becomes increasingly difficult with decades-old claims; this raises constitutional questions about fairness
  • Insurance and financial liability: Removing filing deadlines could create unpredictable long-tail liability for organizations and businesses, potentially affecting insurance markets and organizational viability
  • Institutional exposure: Schools, youth organizations, religious institutions, and other entities serving vulnerable populations face potentially unlimited exposure to historical claims, which could impact their operations and insurance costs
  • Evidentiary challenges: Cases from distant past may suffer from degraded evidence, faded memories, and difficulty establishing causation, potentially creating unfair outcomes for both sides

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

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