CA AB2959

Claims for damages from childhood sexual assault are not required to be presented to any government entity before commencing an action, exempting them from Government Claims Act requirements.

Actions for childhood sexual assault damages must be filed within 22 years of reaching age of majority or within 5 years of discovering the injury was caused by the assault, whichever is later.

Plaintiffs age 40 or older must file certificates of merit from their attorney and a licensed mental health practitioner declaring reasonable and meritorious cause for the action.

Defendants in cases filed by plaintiffs age 40+ must be named with "Doe" designations until corroborating facts are presented and the court approves naming them.

Victims can recover up to treble damages if they prove the sexual assault resulted from a "cover up," defined as a concerted effort to hide evidence of childhood sexual assault.