BOSTON (MA)
WCVB - ABC 5 [Boston MA]
October 8, 2026
By Karen Anderson, Alexi Cohan
Legislation to remove the statute of limitations is currently in conference committee
A new poll shows widespread support among for eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil claims in Massachusetts.
The poll, conducted by MassInc, was released on Thursday, by the group Enough Abuse about an amendment, currently in conference committee, to eliminate the statute of limitations and the $20,000 charitable immunity cap for child sexual abuse civil cases.
It would also make the law retroactive, allowing survivors who are currently barred from suing to file claims for two years.
Massachusetts law currently bars child sexual abuse survivors age 53 or over from suing their abusers in civil court, as previously reported by 5 Investigates.
For those who can file claims, liability is capped at $20,000.
A new poll released Thursday by MassINC shows 84% of voters support the measure, and 67% said it should be a high priority for lawmakers.
Most voters, just over 90%, agreed that survivors of abuse may need many years to come forward.
Steve Koczela, president of MassINC, said during a Thursday virtual news conference that he’s never seen an issue with so much bipartian support.
Survivors have been pushing for this legislation for more than a decade.
Jim Scanlon, who spoke during Thursday’s virtual news conference, shared his story of being groomed and sexually abused by Father James Talbot, a priest, teacher and coach at Boston College High School, in the late 1970s.
Scanlon was only able to pursue charges against Talbot because he left the state of Massachusetts, which stops the clock on the statute of limitations.
Still, Scanlon said it took years for him to come forward.
“I was able to come forward when I saw that others came forward,” Scanlon said. His story was profiled in the movie “Spotlight,” which chronicled clergy sexual abuse and its coverup, exposed the Boston Globe.
The amendment is being negotiated as part of a primary care bill.
Kathryn Robb of Enough Abuse, an advocacy group calling on lawmakers to pass the measure, said it’s their turn to protect children.
“Survivors are not asking for sympathy; they are asking to be heard in a court of law. And history will remember those who opened that door and those who kept it shut,” Robb said.
She added, “Only action, real legislative action, will serve children and survivors.”
This poll was commissioned by Herman Law, a national law firm representing survivors of sexual abuse, that supports changing this law.
Advocates say nonprofits, including the Catholic Church, have opposed it.
The Archdiocese of Boston has repeatedly declined our request for a comment.
The House has unanimously supported the measure. The Senate passed a similar measure last session. The legislature has until Jan. 5 to send it to the governor’s desk.