AB 1547: Childhood sexual assault: statute of limitations.

Existing law requires that specified actions for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual assault, as defined, be commenced within 22 years of the date the plaintiff attains the age of majority or within 5 years of the date the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered that psychological injury or illness occurring after the age of majority was caused by the sexual assault, whichever occurs later. Existing law prohibits certain of those actions from commencing on or after the plaintiffs 40th birthday unless the person or entity knew or had reason to know, or was otherwise on notice, of any misconduct that creates a risk of childhood sexual assault by an employee, volunteer, representative, or agent, or the person or entity failed to take reasonable steps or to implement reasonable safeguards to avoid acts of childhood sexual assault, as specified.

This bill would provide that a claim seeking to recover damages arising out of a sexual assault by an employee of a juvenile probation camp or detention facility owned and operated by a county or of a youth facility owned and operated by the Division of Juvenile Justice at the time the sexual assault occurred, that would otherwise be barred before January 1, 2024, because the applicable statute of limitations has expired, is revived and may proceed or be commenced within one year, as specified.