HR5560-119

What This Bill Does

The Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act uses federal grants to encourage states to eliminate time barriers for child sexual abuse claims and prosecutions. The findings cite child sexual abuse as a public health epidemic affecting an estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the United States, note that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 19,000 child sex trafficking reports in 2022, and state that many survivors disclose abuse decades later, with the average age of disclosure over 52. The operative section allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible states under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act if they eliminate civil statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex trafficking claims; eliminate criminal statutes of limitations for felony and misdemeanor sex crimes against children, including attempt, conspiracy, solicitation, and aiding and abetting; or revive previously time-barred civil claims for at least two years or until the survivor reaches age 55, whichever is longer. Grant funds are allocated by reform depth: 25 percent for states achieving one reform, 35 percent for two reforms, and 40 percent for all three. The bill authorizes $20 million for each fiscal year 2026 through 2033.

Who Benefits and How

Survivors of child sexual abuse benefit because states can receive federal grant support for eliminating or reviving limitation periods that block claims. Child sex trafficking survivors benefit because the grant reforms cover exploitation and trafficking claims as well as abuse claims. States adopting all three reforms benefit from the largest 40 percent share of available grant funds. Victim advocacy organizations benefit from federal incentives that support longer access to civil justice and criminal accountability.

Who Bears the Burden and How

HHS child protection grant staff must administer $20 million per year and verify which reforms each state has achieved. State legislatures must change civil and criminal limitation laws to qualify for the grant tiers. Public and private entities facing revived claims may face litigation over previously time-barred child sexual abuse, exploitation, or trafficking claims. Perpetrators of child sex crimes face longer criminal exposure and revived civil claims if states enact the reforms.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes HHS grants for states that eliminate civil statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, exploitation, and sex trafficking claims.
• Authorizes grants for states that eliminate criminal statutes of limitations for felony and misdemeanor sex crimes against children.
• Provides grant support for reviving previously time-barred civil claims for at least two years or until age 55.
• Requires grant funds to be divided by reform depth, with 25 percent, 35 percent, and 40 percent tiers.
• Appropriates $20 million for each fiscal year 2026 through 2033.