House Judiciary Committee backs two-year civil window for childhood sexual‑abuse claims

The House Judiciary Committee voted 15-11 to report two measures that would open a two-year civil filing window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and waive sovereign and governmental immunity for claims during that window.

The bills — House Bill 462, a statutory change to Title 42, and House Bill 464, a proposed constitutional amendment — were presented by Representative Davidson, the prime sponsor, who said the legislation is rooted in recommendations from a 2018 grand jury report and is intended to give survivors an opportunity to pursue time-barred claims. “We call for a civil window law,” Representative Davidson said, reading the grand jury’s recommendation.

Counsel James Vitale summarized House Bill 462 as an amendment to Title 42 that would provide a two-year window for previously time‑barred claims and would waive sovereign and governmental immunity retroactively to allow suits against the Commonwealth, local agencies and employees during that period. Vitale said the bill includes a nonseverability clause, grants the Supreme Court extraordinary jurisdiction to hear constitutional challenges, and would take effect immediately.

Representative Bahn, speaking in support, said the retroactive window is exceptional given the nature of the abuses and the concealment alleged in the grand jury report. Representative Bonner said he would support the retroactive statute in this “rare circumstance,” acknowledging the seriousness of the alleged concealment and arguing that the courts and insurers would test claims in litigation.

Representative Mays, a co-prime sponsor, described bringing personal experience to the legislation and said the measures are intended to help survivors find “some way to healing and find some way to justice.” Representative Miller commended the prime sponsor’s presentation, saying it was persuasive and thorough.

Opposition was voiced by members who cautioned the legislation is not a complete solution; Representative Kaufman said he would not support either bill in this session but looked forward to continued conversation.

On procedure, Counsel Vitale explained House Bill 464 would be a proposed constitutional amendment that — if approved by the General Assembly in identical form in two consecutive sessions — would go to voters. Vitale said the amendment would also waive sovereign, governmental and official immunity and remove caps during the two‑year window.

Both measures passed committee by 15 to 11 and were reported as committed. The committee recorded roll calls for each bill; the transcript shows 15 affirmative votes and 11 negative votes on both measures. Representative Davidson called for colleagues to vote yes on both bills as the committee moved them forward.

Next steps: House Bill 462 proceeds as a statutory measure reported by the committee; House Bill 464, as a proposed constitutional amendment, must pass the General Assembly in identical form in two consecutive sessions before a public vote.