Committee backs bill to remove or extend statutes of limitations for trafficking cases after survivor testimony

The Assembly committee advanced Assembly Bill 4966 following testimony from survivors and advocates who described barriers that statutes of limitations create for trafficking victims seeking justice.

Christine Di Maria, who testified she was trafficked at 15 and escaped at 16, told the committee that she had collected documents and witnesses but was still time‑barred from civil suits. She said criminal prosecution was often impossible decades later given the high criminal standard of proof, and argued the civil statute of limitations should be extended or eliminated to allow survivors to seek remedies. “The statute of limitations does not protect children. It protects abusers,” Di Maria said.

Committee amendments summarized by the clerk broadened the committee’s changes to eliminate the criminal statute of limitations for certain trafficking crimes and to extend civil statutes of limitations (the bill would extend civil remedies to either 10 years after the survivor turns 18 or two years from reasonable discovery, as summarized by the survivor’s testimony). Witnesses emphasized trauma and delayed reporting as reasons survivors often cannot pursue claims within existing timeframes.

Members thanked survivors for their testimony; Assemblywoman Ramirez, who said she represents victims, explicitly voiced support. The committee moved and released the bill with amendments. The measure will proceed for further legislative consideration and any changes to retroactivity or other legal mechanics will be determined in subsequent drafting and floor action.