SJR 76 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change Missouri’s rules on statutes of limitations for certain civil lawsuits arising from sexual violence. It would repeal and replace Section 13 of Article I of the Missouri Constitution, while keeping the existing prohibitions on ex post facto laws, impairment of contracts, retrospective laws, and irrevocable grants of special privileges or immunities.
The core change is that civil actions for injuries or illnesses caused by rape, forcible sodomy, or childhood sexual abuse would have no statute of limitations. The amendment would allow victims, or a victim’s guardian, to file suit against the person who committed the offense or related tortious conduct at any time, including claims that would already be time-barred under current law when the amendment takes effect.
Impact
If adopted, the measure would directly alter Missouri constitutional law and override any conflicting statutory limitation periods for the covered civil claims. It would expand the ability of survivors of rape, forcible sodomy, and childhood sexual abuse to pursue civil remedies indefinitely, potentially increasing exposure for defendants and insurers and allowing previously barred claims to proceed.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s caption and text, the measure appears to be framed as a survivor-focused access-to-justice proposal, with a likely sympathetic policy rationale centered on giving victims more time to come forward. No committee transcripts or votes were provided, so there is no recorded debate or formal vote history here to indicate broader legislative support or opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the retroactive effect of the amendment, because it would revive claims that are already barred under existing statutes of limitations. Supporters would likely emphasize fairness to survivors of sexual abuse and the difficulty many victims face in reporting promptly, while opponents may raise concerns about due process, stale evidence, and increased litigation exposure for defendants.