California lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would tighten the rules for adults seeking to sue public entities over childhood sexual abuse — including schools, foster-care agencies and juvenile facilities. The measure, Senate Bill 577, is slated for review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and, as written, would add new filing requirements and deadlines while curbing certain damages.
A central provision would set a hard January 1 cutoff for lawsuits tied to Los Angeles County’s now-closed juvenile halls and camps, as well as the former MacLaren Children’s Center — a long-troubled emergency shelter for children. Beyond that deadline, the bill would raise the evidentiary bar for plaintiffs age 40 and older, require a pre-filing “certificate of merit” from an expert, prohibit treble (triple) damages in covered cases, limit refiling after lengthy dismissals, and give public agencies more time to pay settlements or judgments.
Supporters argue the changes are necessary because government entities face massive liabilities from historic abuse. Los Angeles County, for example, recently approved a record multi-billion-dollar settlement to resolve thousands of claims linked to misconduct in foster care and juvenile facilities, many involving MacLaren. Separate analyses have estimated statewide exposure for school districts in the billions as well.
Opponents counter that the bill shifts the burden onto survivors who already face steep obstacles to coming forward years after the abuse. Assemblymember Kate Sanchez, the lone “no” vote earlier in the process, has argued the state shouldn’t protect agency budgets at survivors’ expense.
The legislation is co-authored by Sen. John Laird, who says school systems and local governments need relief from mounting claims that are driving up insurance costs and straining public services. He has also pointed to Los Angeles County as “ground zero” for unaffordable payouts tied to decades of abuse.
Advocates for youth and foster children have urged changes. The Youth Law Center and Children’s Law Center of California proposed amendments that would extend the window to sue Los Angeles County for MacLaren and detention-center abuses until 2029 and require statewide notice to potential claimants. Laird has signaled that additional amendments remain on the table.
SB 577 follows a wave of laws expanding access to civil justice for survivors. In 2019, California opened a three-year look-back window for otherwise time-barred claims and extended the statute of limitations to age 40 or five years from discovery. Then, starting January 1, 2024, the state eliminated the statute of limitations for future childhood-sexual-assault claims — a major shift that increased long-term exposure for public entities.
What’s next: The Assembly Appropriations Committee is weighing SB 577, and negotiations over amendments are ongoing. If it advances, the bill would head to a full Assembly vote before returning to the Senate to reconcile any changes.