AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- CAUSES OF ACTION (Creates "Harter's Law" to extend the civil statute of limitations, for injuries resulting from first degree child abuse, to thirty-five (35) years and cap civil damages recovery at five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).)

H7431

2026 -- H 7431
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LC004480
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
CAUSES OF ACTION

Introduced By:
Representatives Casimiro, McEntee, Alzate, Read, Fellela, DeSimone,
Cotter, and Craven

Date Introduced:
January 30, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 9-1-14 of the General Laws in Chapter 9-1 entitled "Causes of
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Action" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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9-1-14. Limitation of actions for words spoken or personal injuries.
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(a) Actions for words spoken shall be commenced and sued within one year next after the
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words spoken, and not after.
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(b) Actions for injuries to the person shall be commenced and sued within three (3) years
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next after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after, except as provided for otherwise in
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subsection (c) herein. Notwithstanding anything herein, any claim based on sexual abuse or
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exploitation of a child shall be governed by § 9-1-51
and any claim based on conduct consisting of
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first degree child abuse in violation of § 11-9-5.3(b)(1), shall be commenced within the statute of
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limitations contained in § 9-1-55 and any damages recovered therein shall not exceed the sum of
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five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)
.
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(c) As to an action for personal injuries wherein an injured party is entitled to proceed
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against an insurer pursuant to § 27-7-2, where an action is otherwise properly filed against an
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insured within the time limitations provided for by this section, and process against the insured
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tortfeasor has been returned “non estinventus” and filed with the court, then the statutory limitation
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for filing an action under § 27-7-2 directly against an insurer shall be extended an additional one
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hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of the time limitation provided for in subsection (b)

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herein.
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SECTION 2. Chapter 9-1 of the General Laws entitled "Causes of Action" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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9-1-55. Limitation on actions based on child abuse -- Harter's Law.

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(a) This section shall be known and may be referred to as "Harter's Law".
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(b) Any civil action brought pursuant to the provisions of § 9-1-2, for injury as a result of
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conduct, in violation of § 11-9-5.3(b)(1), shall be commenced and sued within thirty-five (35) years
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next, after the cause of action shall accrue, and not after; provided, however, that the time limit or
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commencement of an action under this section, shall be tolled for a child, until the child reaches
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eighteen (18) years of age.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE -- PROCEDURE GENERALLY --
CAUSES OF ACTION
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This act would create "Harter's Law" to extend the civil statute of limitations, for injuries
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resulting from first degree child abuse, to thirty-five (35) years and cap civil damages recovery at
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five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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