Justice for Survivors Michigan: the bills and what they would change
Last checked: 15 October 2026
Justice for Survivors is a package of Michigan bills that would give people who were sexually abused as children more time to bring a civil claim. The Senate passed its version on 20 May 2025. As of 15 October 2026, neither the Senate bills nor the matching House bills have had a vote in the House.
Where the bills stand
The Senate bills, SB 257 to 261, passed the Senate 25 to 9 on 20 May 2025. The House referred them to its Committee on Government Operations the same day, and there has been no action on them since.
The House versions, HB 6047 to 6051, were introduced on 4 June 2026 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. There has been no action on them since either.
See every bill, its sponsor and its last action.
What the main bill would change
SB 257 and HB 6047 have the same text. They change the deadline for a civil claim by someone who was a victim of criminal sexual conduct while a minor.
| Michigan law today | Under SB 257 / HB 6047 | |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline | The later of age 28, or 3 years after discovering the injury and its link to the abuse | The latest of 10 years after the claim accrues, age 42, or 7 years after discovery |
| If the abuser is convicted | The same deadline applies | No time limit |
| Claims that are already too old | No window is open. A 90-day window in 2018 covered only claims against a physician convicted of first degree criminal sexual conduct who admitted using medical authority or purported treatment | A window of 1 year after the law takes effect, with damages capped at $1,500,000 per claimant against each defendant for each incident |
SB 257 only takes effect if SB 258 and SB 259 are also passed. The other bills in the package exempt these claims from the deadline and notice rules for claims against the state, and remove governmental immunity for public universities, colleges and school districts in some cases.
What has already changed
Part of an earlier version of the package did become law. Public Act 268 of 2024 took effect on 2 April 2025. It sets the deadline for criminal charges for second and third degree criminal sexual conduct at 15 years after the offence or the alleged victim's 42nd birthday, whichever is later. It only applies to offences committed on or after 2 April 2025.
Sources
- Senate Bill 257 of 2025, Michigan Legislature: legislature.mi.gov
- SB 257 as passed by the Senate: legislature.mi.gov
- House Bill 6047 of 2026 as introduced: legislature.mi.gov
- MCL 600.5851b, current text: legislature.mi.gov
- Public Act 268 of 2024: legislature.mi.gov