Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act (H.R. 5560)

Original title: Statutes of Limitation for Child Sexual Abuse Reform Act

Last action · September 23, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.Sponsors: Suhas Subramanyam and 9 others

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What This Bill Would Do

This bill proposes federal incentives for states to remove time limits (statutes of limitation) on filing civil and criminal cases related to child sexual abuse and trafficking. It also provides grant funding for states that allow victims to revive previously expired civil claims.

Why it matters

If passed, this bill would authorize $20 million annually from 2026 to 2033 to encourage states to change their laws, potentially allowing victims of child abuse to sue or prosecute abusers regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

State Governments

States may choose to modify their criminal and civil codes to qualify for federal grant funding.

Directly affected

Victims of Child Sexual Abuse

Victims may gain the legal standing to pursue civil or criminal action against abusers in states that adopt the proposed reforms.

Directly affected

Accused Perpetrators

Individuals accused of past abuse may face civil or criminal liability in states that eliminate statutes of limitation or revive time-barred claims.

Key Facts

Authorizes $20 million in annual federal grants from 2026 through 2033 to states that reform their statutes of limitation laws.
Grants are allocated based on the number of reforms a state adopts: 25% for one reform, 35% for two, and 40% for all three.
Reform 1: Elimination of all state civil statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
Reform 2: Elimination of all state criminal statutes of limitations for felony and misdemeanor sex crimes against children.

Show all 9 facts

Reform 3: Revival of previously time-barred civil claims, allowing a 2-year window or until the victim reaches age 55, whichever is longer.
Amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to include these reforms as criteria for state eligibility.
Defines 'child sexual abuse and exploitation' to include acts or failures to act by parents, caretakers, or any other person.
Includes a technical correction to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984.
Cites findings that 90% of child victims never report abuse and the average age of disclosure is over 52 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill automatically change state laws?

No. This bill provides financial incentives (grants) to encourage states to voluntarily change their own laws regarding statutes of limitation.

What happens to old cases that were already dismissed because of time limits?

The bill incentivizes states to pass '' laws that would allow victims to bring civil claims that were previously barred by time limits, provided the victim is under 55 or within a 2-year window.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Sep 23, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Sep 23, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House

Version history

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