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HB 464PENNSYLVANIASession 2025-2026State Billpassed chamber

Passed

Pennsylvania Resolution proposes constitutional amendment to allow childhood sexual abuse lawsuits past previous legal limits

Original title: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for courts to be open and suits against the Commonwealth.

Last action · June 24, 2026: Resolution to discharge committee from further consideration of this bill dropped from calendar, June 23, 2026Sponsors: Nate Davidson and 34 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 464 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow individuals whose childhood sexual abuse claims are barred by expired time limits, damage caps, or immunity doctrines a two-year window to file a lawsuit. The measure requires passage by two successive legislative sessions and approval by voters in a statewide election.

Why it matters

The measure establishes a two-year window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to pursue legal claims previously blocked by , statutory caps, or expired filing deadlines.

Background

Constitutional amendments in Pennsylvania require passage by two successive sessions of the General Assembly followed by approval from voters in a referendum. context
Sovereign immunity protects state and local government agencies from being sued unless the legislature or constitution explicitly waives that protection. 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.

Directly affected

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Individuals with claims previously barred by expired deadlines, damage caps, or immunity doctrines are granted a two-year window to file a lawsuit.

Directly affected

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The state faces potential legal liability from previously barred claims if the constitutional amendment is approved by the legislature and voters.

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

Who is eligible to file a lawsuit under this proposed constitutional amendment?

Individuals for whom a has expired, or whose claim would otherwise be barred by a statutory damage cap or sovereign/governmental immunity, in cases arising from childhood sexual abuse.

How long will individuals have to file their claims if the amendment takes effect?

Affected individuals will have a period of two years from the time the subsection becomes effective to commence an action.

What steps are required for the constitutional amendment to become part of the Constitution?

The amendment requires passage by two successive General Assemblies, proper advertising by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and approval by qualified electors at a general or municipal election.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

13 actions

Jun 24, 2026Senate
Resolution to discharge committee from further consideration of this bill dropped from calendar, June 23, 2026
Jun 24, 2026Senate
Resolution to discharge committee from further consideration of this bill presented, May 4, 2026
Jun 18, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to STATE GOVERNMENT, June 18, 2025
Jun 18, 2025Senate
In the Senate
Jun 9, 2025HouseFloor
Third consideration and final passage, June 9, 2025 (138-64)
Jun 9, 2025HouseCommittee
Re-reported as committed, June 9, 2025

Show 7 earlier actions

May 14, 2025House
Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025HouseFloor
Second consideration, May 14, 2025
May 13, 2025House
Removed from table, May 13, 2025
May 6, 2025House
Laid on the table, May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025HouseIntroduced
First consideration, May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported as committed, May 6, 2025
Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to JUDICIARY, Feb. 4, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. 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.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift95% confidence

Constitutional Waiver of Immunity for Abuse Claims

The measure seeks to amend the state constitution to bypass statutory caps, immunity doctrines, and expired deadlines specifically for childhood sexual abuse claims.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Connected Entities

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Secretary of the Commonwealth

locationCommonwealth of Pennsylvania“Jurisdiction where the constitutional amendment is proposed”Map →

PersonSecretary of the Commonwealth“Responsible for advertising and submitting the amendment to electors”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.palegis.us

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance80
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy65
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz40
Current news / social attention level

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