FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 744

89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PATEK.

Read 1st time February 24, 1997 and 1000 copies ordered printed.

ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk

L0912.01I

AN ACT

To repeal section 537.046, RSMo 1994, relating to civil actions for recovery of damages from childhood sexual abuse, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Section 537.046, RSMo 1994, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 537.046, to read as follows:

537.046. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:

(1) "Childhood sexual abuse", any act committed by the defendant against the plaintiff which act occurred when the plaintiff was under the age of eighteen years and which act would have been a violation of section 566.030, 566.040, 566.050, 566.060, 566.070, 566.080, 566.090, 566.100, 566.110, or 566.120, RSMo, or section 568.020, RSMo;

(2) "Injury" or "illness", either a physical injury or illness or a psychological injury or illness. A psychological injury or illness need not be accompanied by physical injury or illness.

2. In any civil action for recovery of damages suffered as a result of childhood sexual abuse, the time for commencement of the action shall be within [five] ten years of the date the plaintiff attains the age of eighteen or within three years of the date the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered that the injury or illness was caused by child sexual abuse, whichever later occurs.

3. This section shall apply to any action commenced on or after August 28, [1990] 1997, including any action which would have been barred by the application of the statute of limitation applicable prior to that date.
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