Creates "Harter's Law" to extend the civil statute of limitations, for injuries resulting from first degree child abuse, to thirty-five (35) years and cap civil damages recovery at five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Plain-English Summary: "Harter's Law" (RI)

This bill, named "Harter's Law," would change the rules about how long a survivor of first-degree child abuse has to file a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation for their injuries. Under current law, there are time limits — called statutes of limitations — that restrict how long someone has to take legal action. This bill would extend that window to 35 years for victims of first-degree child abuse, giving survivors significantly more time to come forward and pursue a civil case in court.

The bill also sets a cap on damages, meaning the maximum amount of money a victim could recover in these civil cases would be limited to $500,000, regardless of the circumstances of the case. This places an upper boundary on what a court could award to a winning plaintiff, even if a jury might otherwise have decided on a higher amount.

This legislation primarily affects survivors of first-degree child abuse and those who may be held legally responsible for that abuse. Survivors would benefit from having more time to pursue justice, which can be important given that many abuse victims don't come forward until adulthood. However, the damages cap could limit the financial recovery available to those with the most serious, long-lasting injuries.

The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.