AB 250: California’s Window for Older Adult Sexual Assault Claims

Updated October 29, 2026

California’s AB 250 opened a two-year window for adult survivors of sexual assault whose civil claims had expired. The window runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. After that, claims revived by AB 250 can no longer be filed.

Who May Qualify

• You were 18 or older when the assault happened.
• Your claim had expired under California’s ordinary deadlines.
• You can allege that a person or organization concealed or suppressed information about the assault, or otherwise worked to prevent accountability.
• The claim was not previously litigated to a final judgment or resolved in a written settlement.

Who Can Be Sued

AB 250 focuses on private defendants, such as businesses, employers and organizations, and the people involved. It does not apply to public entities. Where the assault happened at work, related claims such as harassment, retaliation or wrongful termination may also be part of the case.

What a Cover-Up Can Look Like

• Pressuring a survivor to stay quiet, including through settlement or separation terms
• Destroying or hiding reports, records or evidence
• Moving the abuser to another role or location instead of acting
• Ignoring or burying repeated complaints about the same person

What to Do Now

1. Write down what you remember: dates, places, names, and who you told.
2. Gather what you have: messages, emails, HR complaints, medical or counseling records, and any agreement you were asked to sign.
3. Do not sign anything new with the organization before getting advice.
4. Talk to a lawyer well before the end of 2027. Investigating a cover-up takes time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AB 250?

A California law that revives certain expired civil claims by adult sexual assault survivors where there was a cover-up. Claims must be filed by December 31, 2027.

Does AB 250 apply to assaults by a government employee?

AB 250 does not apply to public entities. Different deadlines and rules apply to claims against government agencies.

I signed an agreement when I left my job. Can I still bring a claim?

Possibly. Some agreements do not bar these claims, and California limits secrecy provisions in sexual assault cases. Bring the agreement to your consultation.

Is my consultation confidential?

Yes.