CA AB1938

Authorizes civil actions for damages against defendants convicted of specified serious felonies to be commenced within 10 years of discharge from parole, rather than the standard one-year limit.

Extends the 10-year filing deadline to defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity for the same specified serious felonies, measured from the date of release from custody.

Prohibits civil actions if the defendant received a certificate of rehabilitation, pardon, or was paroled based on evidence of intimate partner battering victimization.

Applies retroactively to actions commenced before, on, or after the effective date, including those previously barred by the statute of limitations, except for claims already litigated to finality before January 1, 2003, or covered by written settlement agreements.

Requires any restitution paid by the defendant to be credited against judgments, awards, or settlements obtained under this section.