Civil procedure: statute of limitations; civil actions for criminal sexual conduct; extend period of limitations, and add grace period for past occurrences. Amends sec. 5851b of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 500.5851b).

This bill aims to extend the time period during which victims of criminal sexual conduct can file civil lawsuits against their perpetrators. It also introduces a grace period for individuals who experienced such incidents in the past, allowing them to seek justice even if the previous time limits have expired. This change is intended to provide more opportunities for survivors to hold offenders accountable.

Supporters of this bill argue that it empowers survivors of sexual violence by giving them more time to come forward and seek justice. They believe that extending the statute of limitations and adding a grace period acknowledges the long-lasting impact of trauma and encourages victims to speak out without the pressure of tight deadlines.

Critics of the bill may contend that extending the statute of limitations could lead to an influx of lawsuits that are difficult to defend against due to the passage of time. They may argue that this could overwhelm the legal system and potentially infringe on the rights of the accused, making it harder to ensure fair trials.