The Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 68-4 this week to approve a bill that would open a two-year revival window from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, for claims previously barred by the statute of limitations. The proposed bill follows the release of a 282-page state report by the Rhode Island Attorney General in March detailing abuse and an alleged cover-up by the Diocese of Providence. The Rhode Island Senate previously passed the proposed bill last week with a 37–0 vote.
The bill states, in relevant part:
- Claims for damages as a result of sexual abuse includes alleged negligent supervision of a person that sexually abused a minor, or that the defendant's conduct caused or contributed to the childhood sexual abuse by another person to include, but not be limited to, wrongful conduct, negligence or default in supervision, hiring, employment, training, monitoring, or failure to report and/or the concealment of sexual abuse of a child;
- Claims can be filed within 35 years of the act alleged to have caused injury or 7 years from the time the victim discovered that injury was caused by the act; and
- Prejudgment interest will be 12%, starting from either the date of written notice of the claim by the claimant or the filing of the action, whichever comes first.
Please note that prior judgments of the court dismissing claims as a result of the statute of limitations would be preserved.
The bill is now headed to Rhode Island Governor Dan Mckee to await his signature.
Why This Matters
If the proposed bill is signed into law by the Governor, religious organizations in Rhode Island could face a significant wave of litigation over the next two years. This legislation follows a trend of similar legislation passed in states like New York, New Jersey, and California. The bill could have major legal and institutional consequences.
If you have questions about this bill or related matters, please contact Michael A. Airdo (mairdo@airdowerwas.com) or Gabrielle E. Moore (gmoore@airdowerwas.com).
