Pennsylvania's HB 462 and HB 464 would open a two-year civil window for any survivor of childhood sexual abuse to file, regardless of when the abuse occurred. Both bills are stalled in the Senate. Here is what PA survivors can do in the meantime.
Reviewed by Abuse Justice Center · Updated 2026-06-25
Legislative status data per Sokolove Law and public Pennsylvania General Assembly records. Cost based on standard contingency arrangements.
Pennsylvania's House Bill 462 would create a two-year statutory revival window allowing any survivor of childhood sexual abuse to file a civil lawsuit in Pennsylvania, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Companion bill HB 464 would achieve the same result through a constitutional amendment, which is harder for courts to strike down but takes longer to enact. Both were advanced simultaneously to give survivors the strongest possible legal protection regardless of how courts rule on each approach.
Either bill, if enacted, would waive Pennsylvania's ordinary civil statute of limitations and open a defined window for previously time-barred claims. The window would apply broadly, reaching abuse in schools, religious organizations, government facilities, and other institutional settings.
The House passed HB 462 on June 9, 2025. Both bills were referred to the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee, where they have since stalled. No Senate floor vote has been called as of mid-2026. Advocates continue to push for action, but no confirmed timeline exists for when a vote may be held.
Other states have moved forward. Rhode Island's two-year revival window opens July 1, 2026. California opened two concurrent windows on January 1, 2026. The political and legal path Pennsylvania takes will determine when, if ever, a similar window becomes available to survivors in that state.
It may seem counterintuitive to consult an attorney before a revival window exists. But if a window passes, legal capacity fills quickly. Attorneys evaluate cases, gather records, and build claim strategies before any complaint is filed. Survivors who wait until a window is officially open to start the process may find their position significantly more difficult.
Beyond the revival window, Pennsylvania's existing law may include exceptions that apply to specific situations. A licensed attorney can assess your circumstances under current law, not just under a hypothetical future window, and give you an accurate picture of your options right now.
A free, confidential consultation with an attorney costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. Attorneys who handle these cases work on contingency, meaning they collect no fee unless they recover for you. You can contact them at any time, whether or not any window has passed.
The Abuse Justice Center is a free survivor-attorney matching service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal services or legal advice. If you are in Pennsylvania and want to understand your current options, we can connect you with an attorney familiar with the state's law at no charge.
Whether or not a revival window passes this year, these steps put Pennsylvania survivors in the strongest position to act when the opportunity arrives.
Abuse Justice Center is a lawyer-matching and advocacy service, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Matching and consultations are free, and network attorneys work on contingency. Need support now? The RAINN hotline is 800-656-4673, 24/7.
HB 462 is a Pennsylvania bill that would create a two-year civil revival window for any survivor of childhood sexual abuse to file a lawsuit, regardless of when the abuse occurred. The bill passed the Pennsylvania House on June 9, 2025, and is awaiting Senate action. As of mid-2026, it remains in a Senate committee.
The two-bill approach is a strategic hedge. HB 462 provides a faster statutory fix. HB 464 proposes a constitutional amendment that is harder for courts to overturn but takes longer to enact. Running both simultaneously gives survivors the best chance at a durable legal opening even if one path faces a legal challenge.
No. If a window passes, attorney capacity fills quickly. Speaking with a lawyer before any window opens means you are ready to file without delay. It also means you learn whether any existing legal avenue applies to your situation right now, before waiting on legislation.
A contingency fee means the attorney collects no payment unless they win or settle your case. You owe nothing upfront and nothing if there is no recovery. Most attorneys who handle survivor civil cases work this way.