Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2025, the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act acknowledges that trauma does not follow a standard timeline. The legislation, which took effect January 1, 2026, aims to strip away the protections that predators and enabling institutions have historically enjoyed due to expired statutes of limitations. Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry emphasized that the law targets not only individual perpetrators but also the employers and organizations that facilitated or covered up abuse.
California Opens Two-Year Window for Past Sexual Assault Claims
For many adult survivors of sexual assault, the legal clock often ran out before they were ready to speak. With the implementation of Assembly Bill 250, California has officially reopened the path to civil litigation, granting victims a two-year window to pursue accountability for abuse that was previously time-barred.
From January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, survivors may file civil claims that were previously blocked by expiration dates. While the law provides a significant shift in legal access, it excludes claims directed at public entities, such as government agencies and school districts. For those who previously believed they had lost their chance at a day in court, the current window offers an opportunity to have their experiences formally acknowledged and to hold accountable the parties responsible for their harm.
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