HB 20-1296 Summary

• Removes time limit for civil actions alleging sexual misconduct, allowing claims to be brought at any time without limitation for conduct that forms the basis of a civil action engaged in for sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.

• Expands definition of "sexual misconduct" to include state sexual offenses, human trafficking for sexual servitude, federal sex offenses, obscene representations of child sexual abuse, and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.

• Allows civil actions against persons or entities that are not the direct perpetrator of sexual misconduct, enabling claims against third parties with responsibility for the misconduct.

• Eliminates the restriction preventing victims who are under disability or in special relationships with perpetrators from suing deceased or incapacitated defendants.

• Removes the requirement that plaintiffs who are victims of multiple sexual assaults must identify which specific act caused their injuries, and eliminates damage limitations for claims brought 15+ years after the victim turns 18.

• Applies retroactively to causes of action accruing before January 1, 2021, provided the prior statute of limitations had not yet expired as of that date.