BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1984

By: Martinez Fischer

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Victims of sexual assault endure tremendous emotional pain which can include feelings of great embarrassment, misplaced guilt, and self-blame. These feelings can be amplified if the victim is a child and may result in a delay in seeking justice in civil court. When the victim does decide to seek justice, it is important that the victim's right to do so is not lost due to a statute of limitations.

H.B. 1984 extends the statute of limitations from five to 10 years on civil claims for sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1984 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to extend from not later than five years to not later than 10 years after the day the cause of action accrues the period within which a person is required to bring a personal injury suit, if the injury arises as a result of sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, or continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.