H.B. 570 Summary

• Extends the statute of limitations for civil actions based on childhood sexual abuse from 8 years to 50 years after the victim's 18th birthday, or from 3 years to 5 years after discovering the psychological injury was caused by the abuse, whichever occurs later.

• Extends the window to file otherwise time-barred claims from 8 years to 12 years after April 24, 2012, allowing victims abused in Hawaii to sue their abusers or responsible legal entities even if the original statute of limitations has expired.

• Allows victims to recover treble damages against legal entities if gross negligence is proven and the entity recklessly disregarded evidence of prior sexual abuse incidents or failed to report such incidents to law enforcement.

• Permits courts to order personnel of a legal entity defendant to undergo training on trauma-informed response to sexual abuse allegations, including understanding trauma's effects on victims and creating safe, non-judgmental environments.

• Takes effect upon approval and applies retroactively to April 24, 2020.