MA S404

Adds civil actions for sexual abuse of a minor to the categories of cases eligible for certain procedural protections under Chapter 231 of Massachusetts General Laws

Removes sovereign immunity as a defense against claims by individuals alleging they were sexually abused as children, allowing lawsuits against government entities

Establishes that a licensed mental health professional's report can serve as "good cause" for filing delayed claims when the survivor did not initially connect the abuse to their resulting harm

Modifies the 3-year statute of limitations for victim compensation claims to begin when the survivor first makes the connection between the childhood sexual abuse and the harm suffered, rather than from the date of the abuse

Allows mental health professional opinions regarding delayed recognition of abuse-related harm to serve as prima facie evidence in compensation proceedings