Kansas House Bill HB2093

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/25
• Refer: 1/24/25

Caption

Authorizing victims of childhood abuse to access records related to substantiated reports or investigations of abuse or neglect and extending the time to file civil actions for recovery of damages caused by childhood sexual abuse.

Summary

HB 2093 would expand access to certain confidential child welfare records and lengthen the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under the bill, a person who is 18 or older and was the subject of a substantiated report or investigation of abuse or neglect could obtain records related to that report or investigation, while still protecting the identity of reporters. The bill also preserves and clarifies existing disclosure rules for law enforcement, courts, foster and adoptive parents, educators, and other entities involved in child protection. The bill further amends Kansas law governing civil claims for childhood sexual abuse by extending the time to file a damages action from 13 years after the victim turns 18 to 37 years after the victim turns 18, or three years after a related criminal conviction, whichever is later. It retains the definition of childhood sexual abuse and updates the list of covered offenses to reflect current criminal statutes. The bill also continues to allow public disclosure of certain child fatality or near-fatality records, subject to notice and court review procedures, and requires release of specified information in some fatality cases.

Impact

HB 2093 would amend K.S.A. 38-2212 and 60-523, changing both child welfare confidentiality rules and the civil limitations period for childhood sexual abuse claims. It would create a new right for adult survivors to access records tied to substantiated abuse or neglect reports or investigations, while maintaining restrictions on reporter identity and other protected information. It would also extend the window for filing civil lawsuits for damages arising from childhood sexual abuse, potentially increasing the number of claims that may be brought in Kansas courts and affecting liability exposure for individuals and institutions.

Sentiment

The bill appears to be framed as a child-protection and survivor-rights measure, and its caption and committee sponsorship suggest support from advocates focused on protecting children from sexual predators. No committee transcript or vote data were provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate broader legislative sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the overall tone is remedial and protective, emphasizing access to information, accountability, and expanded legal remedies for survivors.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be the balance between survivor access and confidentiality, and the practical effect of extending civil liability decades after the abuse occurred. Supporters would likely favor giving adult survivors access to records and more time to seek damages, while opponents may raise concerns about privacy, the protection of reporters and third parties, evidentiary difficulties in older cases, and increased exposure for schools, agencies, churches, foster care providers, and other institutions. The bill also contains detailed limits on disclosure, suggesting an effort to address privacy concerns while still expanding access.