CA AB452

Eliminates all time limits for commencing civil actions for recovery of damages from childhood sexual assault, including actions against perpetrators, negligent entities, and those whose intentional acts caused the assault.

Allows plaintiffs who prove the sexual assault resulted from a cover-up to recover treble damages against defendants found to have concealed evidence of childhood sexual assault.

Requires plaintiffs age 40 or older at the time of filing to submit certificates of merit from their attorney and a licensed mental health practitioner confirming reasonable cause and basis for the claim before defendants can be served.

Requires plaintiffs age 40 or older to name defendants using "Doe" designations until corroborative facts are discovered and approved by the court, with the attorney able to file certificates of corroborative fact to substitute the defendant's actual name.

Applies only to childhood sexual assaults occurring on or after January 1, 2024; assaults occurring before that date remain subject to the statute of limitations in effect on December 31, 2023.