California Senate proposes stricter proof rules for historic child abuse suits, rejects payout caps

In the closing days of the session, California lawmakers unveiled Senate Bill 577, a modest amendment to the 2019 law that removed the statute of limitations for childhood sexual-abuse claims. The bill mandates that victims older than 40 present clear and convincing evidence that a government entity was aware of misconduct and failed to act, but it stops short of imposing any cap on monetary awards. Counties such as Los Angeles, which have settled more than $5 billion in claims, and school districts that have paid nearly $½ billion backed the proposal, citing concerns over fraud and fiscal strain.

The Consumer Attorneys of California praised the absence of damage caps, arguing survivors would otherwise bear lifelong costs. Additional provisions fine attorneys $25,000 for filing false suits and require local entities to adopt sexual-assault prevention plans. The legislation is expected to be voted on next week before reaching Governor Gavin Newsom.