HB0222 Summary

• Amends Section 2-1116 of the Code of Civil Procedure to prohibit attributing any contributory fault to plaintiffs bringing actions for damages based on childhood sexual abuse as defined in Section 13-202.2

• Creates new Article XXIII establishing that sexual conduct or sexual penetration constituting childhood sexual abuse is considered per se harmful and traumatic, requiring no additional evidence of harm from the plaintiff

• Allows plaintiffs to present additional evidence demonstrating the extent of harm beyond the per se finding

• Specifies the section does not affect when a plaintiff discovered the cause of action or realized damages were related to sexual abuse

• Applies to causes of action arising on or after the effective date of this act or to causes of action where the limitation period has not yet expired