HB52 • 2026

Sexual abuse of a minor; time-barred civil claims revived for period of 10 years, Attorney General required to conduct public awareness campaign, discrimination for bringing suit, prohibited

Children Elections Healthcare Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Hollis
Last action: 2026-01-13
Official status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effective date is listed as January 1, 2027, but this depends entirely on the future ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed in the 2026 Regular Session.

The Light of Justice Act: Reviving Time-Barred Sexual Abuse Claims

This bill would allow people to file civil lawsuits for sexual abuse that happened when they were under 19, even if the normal time limit has passed, but only if voters approve a constitutional amendment.

What This Bill Does

Revives old civil claims for sex offenses against minors who were under 19 at the time of the offense for a period of 10 years starting January 1, 2027.
Allows lawsuits to be filed against the person accused of committing the abuse and organizations entrusted with minor safety whose officers or employees knew about the abuse but failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.
Requires the Attorney General to run a public campaign to tell survivors about their new rights, the revived time period, and available resources.
Prohibits employers, institutions, or other entities from retaliating against individuals for filing these claims.
Makes this law effective only if voters approve a constitutional amendment allowing such changes.

Who It Names or Affects

Survivors of sexual abuse who were under 19 years old when the offense occurred and whose claims are currently time-barred.
Individuals accused of committing sex offenses against minors.
Organizations entrusted with minor safety, including religious institutions, private academic institutions, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and youth organizations.
Employers or entities that might face retaliation claims from individuals filing suit.

Terms To Know

Time-barred: A legal term meaning the deadline to file a lawsuit has passed under current rules, which normally requires suing within six years of turning 19.
Civil claim: A lawsuit filed by an individual seeking money or other relief for harm caused, not a criminal case brought by the state.
Contingent on ratification: The law will only work if voters officially approve a change to the Constitution first.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill cannot take effect unless Alabama voters pass a constitutional amendment in the future.
The text does not specify how much money survivors might receive or what specific steps organizations must have taken to avoid liability beyond taking 'reasonable steps'.

Bill History

2026-01-13 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Children and Senior Advocacy

Official Summary Text

Sexual abuse of a minor; time-barred civil claims revived for period of 10 years, Attorney General required to conduct public awareness campaign, discrimination for bringing suit, prohibited

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB52 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB52
V7WTDPV-1
By Representative Hollis
RFD: Children and Senior Advocacy
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 05-Nov-25
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V7WTDPV-1 07/23/2025 GP (L)lg 2025-2267
Page 1
PFD: 05-Nov-25
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, a civil action based on a
sex offense committed against an individual under 19
years of age must be brought within six years of that
individual's 19th birthday, or the action is
time-barred.
This bill would revive time-barred civil claims
involving a sex offense against a minor for a period of
10 years.
This bill would require the Attorney General to
conduct an informational campaign about the revived
period to bring a claim.
This bill would prohibit any entity from
discriminating against an individual who brings a claim
under this act.
This bill would also specify that the
legislation is contingent on the ratification of a
constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to
revive time-barred rights and remedies relating to
sexual abuse of a minor.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
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HB52 INTRODUCED
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AN ACT
Relating to sexual abuse of a minor; to revive certain
time-barred civil claims for sex offenses committed against a
minor for a period of 10 years; to require the Attorney
General to conduct a public awareness campaign; to prohibit
certain entities from discriminating against an individual who
brings a claim under this act; and to specify that the act is
contingent on the ratification of a constitutional amendment
authorizing the Legislature to revive time-barred rights and
remedies relating to sexual abuse of a minor.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as
The Light of Justice Act.
Section 2. (a) Notwithstanding Section 6-2-8, Code of
Alabama 1975, any civil claim: (i) for damages resulting from
an injury arising from a sex offense as described in Section
15-20A-5, Code of Alabama 1975; (ii) for which the victim of
the sex offense was under 19 years of age at the time the
offense occurred; and (iii) which was previously time-barred,
is revived and may be commenced within 10 years of the
effective date of this act.
(b) A claim described in subsection (a) may be brought
against both of the following:
(1) The individual alleged to have committed the sex
offense.
(2) Any entity or organization entrusted with the
well-being of minors, the officers or employees of which knew
or should have known of the sexual abuse which is the subject
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HB52 INTRODUCED
Page 3
or should have known of the sexual abuse which is the subject
of the claim and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent
it. This subdivision includes, but is not limited to,
religious institutions, private academic institutions, health
care providers, social service agencies, and youth
organizations.
(c) The Attorney General shall develop and implement a
public awareness campaign to inform survivors of sexual abuse
of their rights under this act, including the revived time
period to bring an action under subsection (a) and resources
to assist survivors in pursuing those claims.
(d) No employer, institution, or other entity may
retaliate against any individual for filing a claim under this
act.
Section 3. This act shall become effective on January
1, 2027, contingent on the ratification of an amendment to the
Constitution of Alabama of 2022, proposed in the 2026 Regular
Session, authorizing the Legislature to revive rights and
remedies relating to sexual abuse of a minor.
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