In 2015, the Massachusetts Legislature extended the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse so that victims in Massachusetts now have at least 35 years after their 18th birthday (53 years of age) to file civil actions against their abusers and at least 7 years (up to 35 years depending on the date the harm occurred) from their 18th birthday to file civil actions against those whose negligence contributed to the abuse.

This legislation would extend this new, longer statute of limitations to cover non-sexual child abuse, giving victims more time to hold their abusers accountable.