JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Republican leaders in the Missouri House of Representatives today highlighted a significant amendment to HB 68 that will give survivors of childhood sexual abuse more time to seek justice.
House Amendment 2, added to HB 68 during perfection, would extend the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. Under the new provision, sponsored by Rep. Brian Seitz, R- Branson, survivors will now have 20 years after turning 21—or three years from the time they discover the abuse caused their injury or illness, whichever is later—to file a lawsuit. This doubles the current 10-year limitation, providing more time for survivors to hold perpetrators accountable.
“This amendment is a crucial step toward justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse,” House Speaker Jon Patterson, Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins, and Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley said in a joint statement. “Survivors often need years to process their trauma and come forward due to the devastating impact of childhood sexual abuse. By extending the statute of limitations, we are giving survivors the time they need to come forward, heal, and seek justice. Missouri is standing with survivors and ensuring that their voices are heard in the legal system.”
Advocates for survivors have praised the amendment, noting that trauma and psychological barriers often delay the recognition of abuse-related injuries. Expanding the statute of limitations aligns Missouri with a growing national movement to provide greater legal recourse for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
HB 68, a broader bill sponsored by Rep. Matthew Overcast, seeks to reduce the statute of limitations for personal injury claims. That bill, along with amendment, was perfected on the House floor on Tuesday. If third read and passed out of the House, the amended version of HB 68 will move to the Missouri Senate for further review and debate.