(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/12/2024) The Senate approved extensions to Michigan's Statute of Limitation (SOL) laws for recovering damages for sexual crimes, which was part of a six-bill package passed after 2:20 a.m. Friday morning.  

SB 1187 by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) gives residents 10 years after a claim to begin legal action to recover damages sustained because of criminal sexual conduct.  

The bill eliminates the restriction that the statute is reserved for sexual abuse of minors. It extends from 28 to 42 years old for when someone can take action against sexual abuse they experienced as a child, and stretches from three years to seven for when someone can take action after they've started to comprehend their abuse.  

For residents barred from seeking damages by the original statute deadlines, SB 1187 permits them to pursue up to $1.5 million from a single defendant for each incident.  

SB 1188, SB 1189, SB 1190, SB1192 update the "Revised Judicature Act" and criminal procedures code to account for McMorrow's bill. 

Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor)'s SB 1191 states that public universities, colleges and school districts are not immune to tort liability for criminal sexual misconduct experienced by employees or agents while serving them. Negligent hiring and supervision, as well as having actual or constructive knowledge of the misconduct and failing to report to law enforcement, can initiate tort liability.  

Moreover, SB 1191 clarifies that schools can be held liable for their employee or agent's act of sexual misconduct. The liability would particularly apply if they had actual or constructive knowledge of the worker's current or past misconduct, as well as if they failed to intervene or prevent future incidents.  

All bills passed, 24-9. Sens. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker), Ruth Johnson (R-Holly), Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) and Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hills) joined Democrats in supporting them.