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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri Constitutional Amendment Eliminates Statute of Limitations for Civil Suits Involving Sexual Offenses and Abuse
Last action · February 11, 2026: Hearing Cancelled S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence CommitteeSponsor: Barbara Washington
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What This Bill Would Do
This allows civil lawsuits for injuries or illnesses resulting from rape, , or childhood sexual abuse to be filed at any time, including claims previously barred by existing statutes of limitations, pending voter approval.
The measure removes time restrictions that previously prevented survivors from seeking civil damages in court after a certain number of years, directly impacting the legal rights of victims and potential defendants in civil tort actions.
- Barbara Washington is a Democratic member of the Missouri Senate representing District 9. context
- Statutes of limitations establish the time limits within which a civil lawsuit must be filed after an alleged incident occurs. context
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.
Survivors of sexual offenses and childhood abuse
Survivors are granted the legal ability to file civil lawsuits at any time for injuries or illnesses resulting from abuse, regardless of past statutory time limits.
Parties accused of committing sexual offenses or abuse
Accused parties face potential civil liability without the protection of historical time limits that previously barred older claims.
Missouri voters
Voters must decide whether to approve the constitutional amendment at an election.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SJR 76 change about the law?
Does this apply to cases that were previously closed or blocked by time limits?
How does this amendment become law?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 11, 2026SenateHearing Cancelled S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
- Jan 27, 2026SenateFloorSecond Read and Referred S Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee
- Jan 7, 2026SenateIntroducedS First Read
- Dec 1, 2025SenatePrefiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. The text on record is the 4763S.01I - Introduced version. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.senate.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy65Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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