As of January 1, 2026, a new California law—Assembly Bill 250 (AB 250)—created a limited, two-year “revival window” that may allow some adult survivors of sexual abuse/assault to file civil lawsuits that were previously time-barred. The window runs through December 31, 2027.
As a firm that fights for survivors of sexual assault and abuse, our team at Matthews & Associates is now speaking with a growing number of people who have questions about the groundbreaking legislation and whether they have viable claims.
Here’s what AB 250 changed, who it may apply to, and what survivors should know before the window closes.
AB 250 at a Glance
AB 250 amended California Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16 and, among other provisions, revived certain claims as follows:
- Two-Year Revival Window: Claims that would otherwise be barred before January 1, 2026 may be filed between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027 (or may proceed if already pending as of January 1, 2026).
- Adult Survivors: The revival provision applies to sexual assault occurring on or after the survivor’s 18th birthday (adult claims).
- Cover-Up Requirement (For Entity Claims): To revive claims against a private entity, the lawsuit must include allegations that the entity (and certain representatives) engaged in a “cover up” or attempted cover up of a previous instance or allegations of sexual assault by an alleged perpetrator.
- Public Entities Excluded: The revival provision expressly excludes public entities.
- Related Claims Can Be Revived: The revival provision also revives “related claims,” including (but not limited to) wrongful termination and sexual harassment, arising out of the sexual assault.
What the AB 250 Revival Window Does
The key change most people are asking about is in CCP § 340.16(e).
Under that subdivision, certain civil claims that were already time-barred may be “revived,” meaning they can be filed during the window even though they would otherwise be dismissed as late. To qualify for the revival window:
- The sexual assault must have occurred after the survivor turned 18,
- The claim must have been time-barred before January 1, 2026, and
- The case must be filed between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027, subject to statutory exclusions.
AB 250 also preserves standard limitations: it does not revive claims already litigated to finality before January 1, 2026, or claims compromised by certain written settlement agreements entered before January 1, 2026.
Who Can Be Held Responsible Under AB 250?
AB 250’s revival provision addresses two common categories of defendants:
Claims Against a Private Entity (Institution / Organization / Employer)
The revival provision revives claims against an “entity” (which is defined broadly to include companies, associations, and other legal entities other than public entities) if the survivor alleges:
- The survivor was sexually assaulted, and
- One or more persons/entities are legally responsible for damages arising from the sexual assault, and
- The entity (including specified representatives such as officers, directors, employees, or agents) engaged in a qualifying cover up or attempted cover up of a previous instance or allegations of sexual assault by an alleged perpetrator.
Under the statute, the alleged cover-up can relate to prior sexual assault allegations involving the same alleged perpetrator, even if those earlier allegations involved other victims.
Claims Against the Perpetrator
The revival provision also revives claims against the perpetrator when the survivor alleges the assault occurred and that one or more persons/entities are legally responsible for damages arising from that assault.
One important point in the statutory text: if the pleadings fall short on the cover-up allegation as to one entity, that does not defeat revival against other parties (including the perpetrator).
What Counts as a “Cover Up” Under the Law?
For revival claims against private entities, AB 250 defines “cover up” as:
“A concerted effort to hide evidence relating to a sexual assault” that incentivizes silence or prevents information from becoming public or disclosed to the survivor, including (but not limited to) nondisclosure agreements or confidentiality agreements.
In real-world investigations, this question often centers on institutional behavior, including how prior complaints were handled, whether allegations were buried internally, whether victims were pressured to keep quiet, and whether the organization’s choices allowed a known risk to remain in place.
Related Claims: Sexual Harassment, Wrongful Termination, And More
AB 250’s revival provision does not limit revival to one narrow cause of action. It expressly revives “related claims,” including (but not limited to) wrongful termination and sexual harassment, so long as they arise out of the sexual assault that forms the basis of the revived claim.
This is especially relevant in workplace and institutional settings where survivors may have experienced retaliation, career disruption, forced resignation, or termination connected to the abuse and the reporting process.
How AB 250 Fits with Other Deadlines in CCP § 340.16
AB 250 is a “revival window” provision, but § 340.16 also contains the ongoing timing rules for adult sexual assault civil actions:
- 10 years from the date of the last act/attempted act/assault, or
- 3 years from the date the survivor discovers (or reasonably should have discovered) that an injury or illness resulted from the assault, whichever is later.
The statute also includes another revival provision for certain claims based on conduct occurring on or after January 1, 2009, allowing those claims to be commenced until December 31, 2026 (with listed exceptions).
These rules can overlap depending on timing and defendants. In many cases, the first step is building a clean timeline and identifying which subsection applies.
Do I Have a Case Under AB 250?
You may have a civil claim worth exploring under AB 250 if:
- You were sexually abused/assaulted as an adult (18+), and you previously believed you were out of time to sue.
- The claim is time-barred under the prior deadlines, meaning it would otherwise be barred before January 1, 2026.
- A private organization may be legally responsible for what happened (for example, through negligent supervision, retention, security failures, or other recognized theories), and there is a basis to allege a qualifying cover up tied to prior allegations involving the perpetrator.
- You believe the organization handled prior misconduct in a way that kept it from coming to light, whether through NDAs/confidentiality provisions, internal suppression of complaints, pressure to stay silent, or other actions that fit the statute’s definition.
- You were pressured to stay quiet, discouraged from reporting, or pushed into confidentiality terms after prior complaints surfaced.
- Your situation includes workplace-related fallout, such as harassment, retaliation, forced resignation, or termination, connected to the underlying abuse/assault.
You do not need a criminal case, or a conviction, to pursue civil accountability under § 340.16. Our attorneys can help you evaluate your circumstances in depth to determine if you have a viable claim under the new law.
Why the Two-Year Window Deserves Real Attention
AB 250 is a limited opportunity. The revival window closes on December 31, 2027. If a claim depends on revival to be timely, filing outside the window can put the case right back into “time-barred” territory.
Separately, these cases often involve older records, former employees, and institutional documents that are not always easy to locate. A serious evaluation usually starts with building a reliable timeline and identifying where corroboration may exist.
Matthews & Associates: Trial-Ready Representation for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Matthews & Associates is a premier civil trial practice that handles sexual abuse, personal injury, and defective product litigation against powerful corporations and defendants, with millions recovered for clients. We understand the sensitivity of these matters and the institutional defenses that often appear the moment a survivor asserts their rights.
If you believe AB 250 may apply to you, or you simply want a clear answer about where you stand, our team is available to discuss your situation confidentially and explain potential next steps.
Call (888) 923-7001 or contact us online to request a FREE and confidential consultation.
