For most of California’s history, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse had a fixed window to file a civil claim, and many people learned of it only after it had closed. Assembly Bill 452, signed in 2023, changed that for abuse going forward.
What the law now says
For childhood sexual assault that occurs on or after January 1, 2024, there is no statute of limitations for a civil claim. A survivor may file at any age. The claim can be brought against the abuser and against any person or entity whose negligence or wrongful conduct was a legal cause of the abuse, such as a school district, a county, a church, or a youth organization.
What still applies to earlier abuse
AB 452 is not retroactive. For abuse that occurred before January 1, 2024, the rules set by AB 218 in 2019 continue to govern: a survivor may file until age 40, or within five years of discovering that a psychological injury or illness in adulthood was caused by the abuse, whichever is later. (Update: SB 577, signed September 30, 2026, shortens that five-year window to three years starting January 1, 2027. Details.) The discovery rule matters more than most people realize, and survivors over 40 should not assume they are out of time without speaking to an attorney.
Public schools and counties
Ordinarily, anyone suing a California public entity must first present a written claim within six months. Government Code section 905(m) exempts childhood sexual abuse claims from that requirement, and since 2020 the exemption applies regardless of when the abuse occurred. Those cases are filed directly in superior court.
Why it matters now
The change removes the pressure that once forced survivors to decide before they were ready. It does not remove the practical reasons to act: witnesses move, personnel files are purged on retention schedules, and insurance coverage from the years of the abuse becomes harder to locate with time. If you are unsure whether your claim is open, the answer is a short, confidential conversation away. Read more about California’s deadlines.
This article is general information about California law as of its date, not legal advice about your situation.
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