Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often face tremendous emotional and psychological hurdles before they're ready to come forward. Unfortunately, the law hasn't always made space for this reality. Statutes of Limitations (SOLs) have long imposed strict time limits on when survivors can take legal action, but that's starting to change.
Across the United States, a growing number of states are reforming their laws to give survivors more time and, in some cases, a second chance to pursue justice. This page breaks down what SOLs are, how "lookback windows" work, and what recent changes mean for sexual abuse survivors today.
A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a civil lawsuit or pressing criminal charges. In the context of child sexual abuse, it's the window of time a survivor has to take legal action, often starting when the abuse occurs or is discovered.
SOLs vary widely from state to state, and many survivors lose the chance to seek justice simply because too much time has passed. But thanks to advocacy from survivors and lawmakers, reforms are expanding these timeframes and creating new legal openings. This reflects the reality of the experience of many survivors, who may take decades to be ready to file a lawsuit.
A revival & lookback window is a limited period of time during which survivors can file sexual abuse lawsuits even if their original legal deadline has passed. These windows are especially powerful for people who were barred by old SOLs but now want to come forward.
Some states have permanently eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. Others have passed temporary windows to reopen expired child sexual abuse claims. The reforms are vital for sexual abuse survivors for the following reasons:
In 2025, several U.S. states enacted major reforms to extend or eliminate statutes of limitations (SOL) for child sexual abuse (CSA) and related offenses. These changes reflect a growing recognition of the trauma survivors endure and the need for more time to pursue justice. Here's a breakdown of the six states implementing new CSA-related SOL laws this year:
1-year revival window for CSA claims tied to BSA bankruptcy (Act 49); No criminal SOL for trafficking-related offenses involving minors (Act 987)
No civil SOL for CSA claims; claims against the state allowed until Jan 1, 2026 (HB1378)
Extends criminal SOL for child sex crimes to age 45; no limit with DNA evidence (HB1935)
Removes civil SOL for sexual assault/CSA—claims allowed anytime after June 26, 2025
Extends criminal SOL for CSA; requires corroboration for late prosecutions (HB973)
Civil SOL extended to 20 years from age 18 for CSA victims (SB2798); Eliminates criminal SOL for major CSA offenses
You aren’t to blame for what happened. Choosing to act isn’t about re-living the pain—it’s about reclaiming power. It’s about setting boundaries, demanding respect, and refusing to accept cover-ups or lies. Every survivor has a right to be heard, to be safe, and to seek justice.
At Kayla’s Survivors, we stand with survivors—those who have endured sexual abuse, assault, misconduct, or institutional neglect. As a survivor-led, woman-led law firm, we have first-hand experience that grounds our firm and puts survivors’ healing at the center of our work. From guaranteeing confidentiality and an empathetic approach, to our specialized expertise and fierce advocacy, we promise to put your needs first. As nationally-recognized sexual abuse attorneys, our purpose is to help you reclaim your voice, pursue justice, and hold both perpetrators and institutions accountable for the harm caused by sexual violence.
Our founder, Kayla Onder, is herself a survivor of sexual violence. Her personal journey from silence to strength guides the heart of this firm. Because she has walked this path, she understands both the pain and the courage it takes to come forward. What began as her personal commitment to stand with survivors has grown into a national practice dedicated to compassion, justice, and institutional change.
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This section includes updated SOL information state by state. When reading, please note the following:
Boy Scouts of America-only window: 4/3/2024–1/31/2026.
Age-limit 30 (permanent) + 1.5-year window (5/27/2019–12/30/2020), all defendants.
2-year window (2/1/2024–1/31/2026), all defendants; earlier 1.5-year window (2/1/2022–7/31/2023) shortened by later statute, creating a six-month gap.
Age-limit 40 (permanent) + 3-year window (1/1/2020–12/31/2022), all defendants; earlier 1-year windows in 2003 (private orgs & non-perpetrator individuals) and 2004 (perpetrators tied to now-overturned criminal revival).
3-year "window" (1/1/2022–12/31/2024) via a new cause of action (not a true revival); held unconstitutional in 2023.
Age-limit 48 (permanent), all defendants.
2-year window (7/10/2007–7/9/2009), all defendants; added 2-year window for healthcare providers (7/13/2010–7/12/2012).
2-year window (7/1/2015–6/30/2017), perpetrators only.
Permanent window open since 9/23/2016 (all defendants); earlier 2-year window (3/9/2011–3/8/2013) for abusers only.
2-year windows: 2012–2014 (perpetrators/other individuals/private orgs), 2014–2016 (extended; added government), and 2018–2020 (all defendants).
Boy Scouts of America-only window: 3/12/2024–7/1/2025.
Boy Scouts of America-only window: 4/19/2024–12/31/2026.
Age-limit 31 (permanent), or 3 years after criminal conviction.
Limited revival up to 5 years after the prior SOL expired (enacted 3/23/2021); held unconstitutional.
3-year window (6/14/2021–6/13/2024), all defendants; extension window opening 8/14/2024–6/13/2027.
Permanent window open since 10/28/2021 (all defendants); note: sovereign-immunity rules still restrict claims against the state.
Permanent window open since 10/1/2023 (all defendants).
Age-limit 53 (permanent), perpetrators only.
90-day, Nassar-specific window (6/12/2018–9/10/2018).
3-year window (5/26/2013–5/25/2016), all defendants.
Age-limit 27 (permanent) + 1-year window (5/7/2019–5/6/2020), against perpetrators and entities.
Permanent window (since 6/2/2021) for perpetrators and persons criminally liable (incl. trafficking/CSAM promoters, etc.); Age-limit 38 for CSA/exploitation claims against other defendants.
Age-limit 55 (permanent) + 2-year window (12/1/2019–11/30/2021), all defendants; applies to CSA and some adult sexual-assault claims.
Child Victims Act windows: 1-year (8/14/2019–8/13/2020) extended one year (to 8/13/2021), all defendants. New York City also enacted a 2-year GMV revival window (3/1/2023–3/1/2025).
2-year window (1/1/2020–12/31/2021), all defendants.
Permanent window open since 11/10/2021 (all defendants).
Boy Scouts of America-only window: 10/12/2023–10/11/2028.
Age-limit 40 (permanent), all defendants.
Age-limit 53 (permanent), perpetrators only.
Age-limit 53 + 3-year window (5/10/2016–5/9/2019), for perpetrators and persons criminally liable; held unconstitutional.
Permanent window open since 5/28/2019 (all defendants).
Age-limit 36 (permanent), all defendants.
2-year window (5/3/2019–5/2/2021), all defendants; applied to victims up to age 40 (and, in some circumstances, older victims and certain adult-assault claims).
New York City enacted a 2-year GMV revival window (3/1/2023–3/1/2025).
While new legislation to expand SOLs for sexual abuse has not been passed in every state, lawmakers across the nation are taking up the cause. The landscape of sexual abuse reporting laws is constantly changing. We are here to keep survivors and their families up to date on the most recent legal changes and expansions of their rights to report.
Here is a list of SOL reform bills that have been introduced during 2025:
AB 250: Would extend revival window for sexual assault claims until 2027.
SB 577: Would shorten civil SOL for CSA to age 40 and impose higher standards for claims against public entities.
HB 75: Would create a permanent revival window for CSA civil claims and waive sovereign immunity.
HB 1114: Would eliminate criminal SOL for trafficking-related crimes involving minors.
HB 1529: Would extend revival window for CSA claims related to Boy Scouts by 1 year (to July 2026).
HB 47: Would create felony crime of sexual extortion (no SOL) and civil action with SOL to age 28.
HB 232: Would eliminate civil SOL for CSA claims where negligence contributed to abuse.
HB 1378: Would prohibit CSA claims against the State after Jan 1, 2026, with cap on noneconomic damages.
Multiple bills proposing elimination or extension of civil and criminal SOL for CSA and related offenses.
HB 486: Proposed elimination of civil SOL for CSA (Died in committee).
Multiple bills introduced to extend civil SOL, open revival windows, and propose constitutional amendments.
HB 82: Would create new CSA crimes like grooming with no criminal SOL.
LB 12: Would eliminate civil SOL for CSA claims, excluding claims against public employees.
HB 73: Would eliminate civil SOL and open a permanent revival window (Action postponed).
Several bills have been introduced to eliminate or revive SOL for CSA and trafficking-related claims.
SB 626 & SB 60: Would expand CSA definitions, eliminate notice requirements, and open revival windows.
HB 462 & HB 464: Would create a 2-year revival window and propose a constitutional amendment.
SB 739: Would eliminate SOL for CSA claims retroactively (Held for study).
H3620 & S0148: Would criminalize CSA visual depictions and extend civil SOL with a 1-year revival window.
SB 1070: Would extend civil CSA SOL to age 48 or 3 years from discovery (Effective July 1, 2025).
Multiple bills to eliminate criminal SOL, establish new offenses, and extend or propose changes to civil SOL.
SB 24: Would create CSA-related crime of child torture with no SOL (Unfavorably reported).
SB 5105: Would expand prohibitions on fabricated depictions of minors and establish a 10-year SOL.
Finding an experienced legal team that earns your trust is essential. Our attorneys are not only experienced litigators—they are advocates trained to support survivors with empathy and integrity. We understand the sensitive nature of sexual abuse cases and offer trauma-informed representation every step of the way. With decades of experience and a team of expert sexual abuse attorneys, we have the resources and resolve to take on powerful institutions and win. Whether you’re ready to file a lawsuit or are just exploring your options, we are here to listen and help.
What Makes Us Different
Coming forward takes courage. Our team honors that courage by offering a safe, supportive, and confidential space to explore your legal options. We never pressure sexual abuse survivors to file a claim. Our attorneys are trauma-informed, responsive, and ready to stand beside you. Whether you're considering legal action or simply want someone to talk to, we are here. You don’t have to take the next step alone. Learn what makes us different.
Survivors of sexual abuse have the right to pursue justice through a civil lawsuit, even if the abuse occurred many years ago or during childhood. In institutional abuse cases, accountability goes beyond the individual perpetrator. It also extends to the organization that allowed the abuse to happen—whether through negligence, lack of oversight, or deliberate cover-up. Click here to learn more.
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