Missouri bill would cut general statute of limitations to two years while extending window for childhood-abuse suits

Representative Matthew Overcast told the Commerce Committee that House Bill 16‑45 has two linked goals: to ‘‘position Missouri to be regionally competitive’’ by reducing the general personal‑injury statute of limitations from five years to two for actions occurring on or after Aug. 28, 2026, and to ‘‘significantly expand the window of time for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice’’ by extending the filing window from age 21+10 to age 21+20.

The proposal drew mixed testimony at a lengthy Commerce Committee hearing. ‘‘This legislation has two distinct but equally important components,’’ Overcast said when he opened the hearing; he later urged the committee to support the bill. Supporters included hospital insurers and statewide business groups who said a shorter limitations period reduces the capital insurers must hold in reserves and would lower premiums and attract business. Dana Friess, president and CEO of a member‑owned insurer testifying for the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and the Missouri Hospital Association, said Missouri’s five‑year limit ‘‘dates back to 1939’’ and argued that ‘‘requiring lawsuits to be filed within two years is better on balance’’ than allowing a five‑year window. Friess described tolling agreements—voluntary pauses in which defendants agree not to raise the limitations defense—as a common tool to extend negotiation time without litigation.

Business‑oriented witnesses cited analyses of other states. Hampton Williams of the Missouri Insurance Coalition described a Pearman Group analysis of Florida reforms, saying the reform package reduced property‑and‑casualty premiums and attracted carriers back to the market; Williams said he would submit the report to the committee. Jared Hankinson of the Missouri Chamber, Brad Jones of NFIB and Mark Faganbaum of the Farm Bureau also urged a shorter general window to improve Missouri’s competitiveness.

Trial lawyers, victim advocates and several committee members pressed contrary concerns. Attorney Ryan Cropp of St. Louis—who said he represents victims of sexual assault—testified in opposition, recounting a 2018 case in which many would‑be plaintiffs could not pursue civil claims under a shorter window and warned that reducing the limit from five to two years would deny civil remedies to adults assaulted as adults. Wes Shumate, testifying for MATA (Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys), said some injuries and complex cases take years of discovery to identify all responsible parties and that ordinary plaintiffs do not know to negotiate tolling agreements.

Several committee members asked about intermediate options. Representative Billington later offered House Bill 16‑10 as a three‑year alternative; witnesses and insurers sometimes said they preferred two years but treated three years as a compromise.

The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The next procedural step, according to sponsors testifying, is further work in Judiciary and possible amendments to address retroactivity and specific exceptions. The committee adjourned the hearings on the statute‑of‑limitations bills without a recorded committee vote.