# California passes SB 577 on sexual abuse litigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/california-sexual-assault-lawsuit-legislation
> Updated: 2026-08-31T02:56:37.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

California lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 577, a compromise measure addressing the financial impact of childhood sexual abuse lawsuits on public institutions. The legislation, authored by Senator John Laird, rejects proposals to cap damages for survivors seeking recourse from cities, counties, and school districts.

To provide relief to public entities, the bill introduces higher evidentiary standards for specific claimants. Survivors over the age of 40, or those with cases involving records destroyed before 2024, must provide ‘clear and convincing’ evidence and demonstrate that the public entity had ‘actual knowledge’ of the misconduct. Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón stated the deal aims to prioritize protection and prevention while acknowledging community impacts.

To combat fraudulent litigation, the bill imposes a $25,000 fine on attorneys found to have brought claims in bad faith. Additionally, local governments and school districts must submit sexual assault prevention plans and codes of conduct to the California attorney general’s office by January 1, 2028. The legislative action follows significant financial strain on municipalities, such as Los Angeles County, which has agreed to pay over $5 billion to settle more than 12,000 claims. The bill now moves to Governor Gavin Newsom for a signature or veto by September 30.

## Claims

- The California Legislature passed Senate Bill 577. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Survivors over age 40 must provide clear and convincing evidence that a public entity had actual knowledge of the abuse. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Attorneys filing fraudulent sex abuse claims in bad faith face a $25,000 fine per violation. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The legislation does not include caps on damages for lawsuits. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Local governments and school districts must submit sexual assault prevention plans to the attorney general by January 1, 2028. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Los Angeles County has agreed to pay over $5 billion to settle more than 12,000 claims related to sexual abuse. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: California Legislature passes Senate Bill 577 on sexual abuse lawsuits

California lawmakers passed Senate Bill 577, requiring older sexual abuse survivors to provide higher standards of evidence in lawsuits against public entities to mitigate financial impacts on schools and local

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-legislature-passes-senate-bill-577-on-sexual-abuse-litigation

### 2026-08-27: California lawmakers reject damage caps for sexual assault lawsuits

California lawmakers rejected damage caps for childhood sexual assault survivors at public institutions but agreed to stricter evidence requirements for older survivors to provide relief to local governments.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-lawmakers-reject-damage-caps-for-sexual-assault-lawsuits

### 2026-08-25: California advocates seek harsher penalties for violent juveniles

Advocates and California lawmakers are pushing for stricter penalties for violent juvenile offenders, citing gaps in the state's justice system and insufficient accountability for serious crimes.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/california-advocates-seek-harsher-penalties-for-violent-juveniles

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Cite as: California passes SB 577 on sexual abuse litigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/california-sexual-assault-lawsuit-legislation