California AB 250 Opens a New 2 year Window to Revive Workplace Sexual Assault Lawsuits

By Sally Chan, Esq., West Themis Law, PC

California has taken a major step toward expanding access to justice for survivors of sexual assault.

Beginning January 1, 2026, a new California law—Assembly Bill 250 (AB 250)—creates a limited two-year window allowing survivors to file civil lawsuits for sexual assault even if the statute of limitations previously expired.

For many victims, particularly those harmed in the workplace, this law represents an unprecedented opportunity to hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.

What Is AB 250?

AB 250 is a California law that temporarily revives expired sexual assault claims.

The law creates a two-year revival window allowing lawsuits that were previously barred by the statute of limitations to be filed in court.

Key dates

• Revival window opens: January 1, 2026

• Revival window closes: December 31, 2027

During this time, survivors may be able to file claims that would otherwise have been dismissed because too much time had passed.

Revival laws like AB 250 recognize that many survivors need years—sometimes decades—to process trauma and feel safe pursuing legal action.

Why Many Sexual Assault Cases Were Previously Barred

Historically, California imposed strict statutes of limitations on civil sexual assault claims.

For many years, survivors were required to file lawsuits within one to two years of the assault. If that deadline passed, the case could be dismissed regardless of the evidence.

California later expanded the law through California Code of Civil Procedure §340.16, which allows many survivors to bring claims within 10 years of the assault or within three years of discovering psychological injuries related to the assault.

However, those changes did not help survivors whose claims had already expired before the new law took effect.

AB 250 addresses this gap by temporarily reviving expired claims.

Workplace Sexual Assault and Abuse of Power

Workplace sexual assault often occurs in environments where power dynamics discourage reporting.

Common situations include:

• Supervisors or executives abusing authority over employees

• Harassment escalating into sexual assault

• Employers ignoring complaints about misconduct

• Companies retaliating against employees who report abuse

AB 250 allows lawsuits not only against the individual perpetrator but also against employers or private institutions that allegedly participated in cover-ups or failed to act on reports of misconduct.

This can include claims involving:

• Workplace sexual assault

• Employer negligence

• Retaliation for reporting sexual assault

• Institutional concealment of sexual abuse

Why Revival Laws Matter

Revival windows exist because sexual assault survivors often face enormous barriers to reporting misconduct, including:

• Fear of retaliation at work

• Power imbalances with supervisors

• Emotional trauma

• Public stigma

• Confidential settlements or pressure to remain silent

These factors frequently delay reporting well beyond traditional statutes of limitations.

By reopening the filing period, AB 250 acknowledges that justice should not depend solely on whether a victim was able to act within a narrow legal timeframe.

Real-World Examples of Cases Affected by Statutes of Limitations

High-profile sexual misconduct cases have often been affected by strict statutes of limitations.

For example, a lawsuit filed by Ashley Walters, a former assistant to musician Marilyn Manson, initially faced dismissal based on timing issues related to the statute of limitations. Changes in California law—including revival provisions—allowed the case to move forward despite earlier legal barriers.

Cases like this demonstrate how legitimate claims may never reach the courtroom when strict filing deadlines prevent victims from pursuing justice.

AB 250 aims to address that problem.

Who May Qualify Under AB 250?

Survivors may be eligible to file a claim during the revival window if:

• (1) the plaintiff was sexually assaulted,

• (2) one or more entities are legally responsible for damages arising out of the assault, and

• (3) the entity or entities engaged in a cover up or attempted cover up, as defined, of a previous instance or allegations of sexual assault.

Because each case depends on specific facts, survivors should speak with an experienced attorney to evaluate whether their claim qualifies under the revival law. Here is the link to the full text of the bill: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB250

The AB 250 Filing Window Is Limited

Although AB 250 opens a powerful opportunity for survivors, the law is temporary.

The revival window closes December 31, 2027.

Sexual assault cases often require significant investigation, including:

• locating witnesses

• collecting documents

• reviewing employment records

• identifying institutional liability

For that reason, survivors should consider seeking legal advice as early as possible.

Taking the First Step Toward Justice

For many survivors, speaking about sexual assault is extraordinarily difficult—especially when the perpetrator held power over their career, livelihood, or reputation.

AB 250 recognizes that reality.

By reopening the courthouse doors, California has created a new opportunity for survivors to pursue accountability and justice.

Speak With a California Sexual Assault Attorney

If you believe you may have a claim under California’s AB 250 revival window, experienced legal guidance can help you understand your rights and options.

West Themis Law, PC is committed to helping survivors of workplace sexual assault seek justice and accountability.

Contact our office to learn more about your legal rights under the new California law.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is AB 250 in California?

AB 250 is a California law that opens a two-year revival window (2026-2027) allowing survivors to file sexual assault lawsuits that were previously barred by the statute of limitations.

Can I still sue for sexual assault if it happened years ago?

Possibly. AB 250 allows certain expired claims to be revived during the limited filing window beginning January 1, 2026.

Does AB 250 apply to workplace sexual assault?

Yes. The law may allow claims against both the individual perpetrator and employers or institutions that failed to prevent or address misconduct.

When does the AB 250 window close?

The revival window closes December 31, 2027.

AB 2777 vs. AB 250: What California Survivors Need to Know

California has passed several laws in recent years expanding the rights of survivors of sexual assault to pursue civil justice. Two of the most significant are Assembly Bill 2777 and Assembly Bill 250. While both laws address statute-of-limitations barriers in sexual assault cases, they operate differently and apply to different time periods.

Understanding the difference is important for anyone considering whether they may still have a legal claim.

AB 2777 (2023 Law): Expanded Filing Deadlines

AB 2777, known as the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, took effect on January 1, 2023.

The law amended California Code of Civil Procedure §340.16 and significantly expanded the time survivors have to file civil sexual assault lawsuits.

Key provisions of AB 2777

1. Extended filing deadline

   Survivors of sexual assault occurring on or after January 1, 2009 may file civil lawsuits until December 31, 2026, even if the previous statute of limitations had expired.

2. One-year revival window (2023)

   AB 2777 also created a temporary one-year look-back window from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.

   During that period, survivors could file lawsuits if:

   • they were sexually assaulted, and

   • an entity such as an employer, company, or institution was legally responsible, and

   • the entity engaged in a cover-up or attempted cover-up of prior sexual misconduct by the perpetrator.

This provision targeted institutional misconduct where organizations allegedly protected perpetrators rather than victims.

AB 250 (2026 Law): New Revival Window for Expired Claims

AB 250, signed into law in 2024, creates a new revival window beginning in 2026.

Key provisions of AB 250

• Revival window opens: January 1, 2026

• Revival window closes: December 31, 2027

• Duration: Two years

During this period, survivors may bring civil claims that were previously barred by the statute of limitations, particularly where institutions or employers allegedly concealed or covered up sexual assault.

Like AB 2777, AB 250 recognizes that many victims were unable to come forward earlier because of power imbalances, workplace retaliation, trauma, or institutional pressure to remain silent.

Why California Is Expanding These Laws

Lawmakers have increasingly acknowledged that traditional statutes of limitation often fail survivors of sexual violence.

Many victims require years to process trauma or feel safe reporting misconduct, particularly when the perpetrator held power over their career or livelihood.

Revival laws like AB 2777 and AB 250 are intended to ensure that serious misconduct cannot escape accountability simply because the legal clock ran out.

Key Differences Between AB 2777 and AB 250

Law	Effective Year	Revival Window	Key Purpose
AB 2777	2023	One-year window in 2023	Allowed lawsuits involving institutional cover-ups and extended filing deadlines for many assaults after 2009
AB 250	2026	Two-year window (2026-2027)	Revives additional expired claims that survivors were previously unable to pursue

A New Opportunity for Survivors

These laws reflect a growing recognition that survivors deserve meaningful access to justice, even when years have passed since the assault.

For individuals who believed their legal rights had expired, AB 250 may offer a renewed opportunity to pursue accountability.

Speak With an Attorney About Your Rights

Because sexual assault cases involve complex legal timelines and evidentiary issues, survivors should consult experienced counsel to determine whether their claim may qualify under California’s revival laws.

West Themis Law, PC represents individuals in complex civil litigation and is committed to helping survivors understand their legal rights and options.

About the Author

This article was written by Sally Chan, Esq., a seasoned 17 year jury trial attorney and managing partner at West Themis Law, PC, a California litigation firm representing individuals and businesses in complex civil matters, including employment, business, fraud, and tort. Ms. Chan has extensive courtroom experience and recently obtained a judgment of $60 million in a fraud and elder abuse case on behalf of her client. She is committed to advocating for victims of abuse, misconduct, and injustice. Ms. Chan can be reached at sally@westthemislaw.com for inquiries regarding workplace sexual assault claims and other civil litigation matters.