PROVIDENCE, RI – According to Motley Rice, Rhode Island has enacted new legislation creating a two-year revival window that allows many survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits that were previously barred by the statute of limitations.
For survivors, this legislation represents more than a change in state law. It reflects a growing recognition that protecting children and holding institutions accountable should remain a priority, even years after abuse occurred.
The Button Law Firm (BLF) is not involved in the Rhode Island legislation discussed in Motley Rice's report. However, we represent kids across Texas in daycare and child injury cases to help them get life-changing results and justice against bad daycares, schools, and companies that abuse and neglect the safety of children.
This legislation is important not only for survivors in Rhode Island, but also because it reflects a growing national conversation about protecting children and holding institutions accountable when they fail to do so. As Texas child sexual abuse attorneys, we believe these discussions help raise awareness and encourage meaningful change for children and families everywhere.
What Motley Rice Reported
According to Motley Rice, Rhode Island's new law creates a two-year revival window from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028.
During that time, survivors whose civil claims were previously barred by the statute of limitations may have an opportunity to file lawsuits against both the individuals responsible for the abuse and the institutions alleged to have enabled, ignored, or concealed it.
The legislation follows a multi-year investigation by the Rhode Island Attorney General into clergy sexual abuse within the Diocese of Providence. According to Motley Rice, the investigation identified approximately 75 clergy members with credible allegations involving more than 300 children and described patterns in which accused clergy members were reassigned while reports were handled inconsistently.
Why This New Legislation Matters
For years, survivors of childhood sexual abuse lost the opportunity to pursue a civil lawsuit because the legal deadline to file a claim expired before they were able to take legal action.
There are many reasons why someone may not pursue a civil claim right away, and every survivor's experience is different. What this legislation recognizes is that some individuals who wanted to seek accountability were previously unable to do so because of legal time limits.
Rhode Island's revival window creates an opportunity for certain previously expired civil claims to move forward. While this law applies only in Rhode Island, similar conversations are taking place across the country as states examine how statutes of limitation affect survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
As Texas child injury attorneys, we believe these discussions matter because protecting children and holding institutions accountable are not just Rhode Island issues. It is an issue that affects families and communities across the country.
How The Button Law Firm Supports Child Sexual Abuse Survivors
At The Button Law Firm, we understand that pursuing a civil case is about much more than filing a lawsuit.
Many survivors come to us looking for answers after years of carrying questions about what happened to them and whether someone could have prevented it.
Our team works to gather records, investigate what occurred, identify institutional failures, and determine whether warning signs were ignored or misconduct was concealed. We also work closely with our in-house Child Advocate to better understand the lasting impact abuse can have and to help connect families with counseling, therapy, and other resources that support healing.
Throughout the process, our goal is to provide compassionate guidance while helping survivors understand their legal options and pursue accountability where the law allows.
The Button Law Firm's Commitment to Protecting Children
Although BLF is not involved in the Rhode Island legislation discussed in Motley Rice's report, we support efforts that expand opportunities for survivors to seek accountability.
Here in Texas, we have represented survivors of child sexual abuse who were harmed because institutions failed to protect them. While every state's laws are different, one principle remains the same: children deserve to be safe, survivors deserve to be heard, and institutions should be held accountable when they fail in their duty to protect children.
If you or someone you love has experienced child sexual abuse at a daycare, school, church, youth organization, or another institution responsible for children's safety, call our team at The Button Law Firm at 214-699-4409, email intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out our contact form to share your story with our team.
Every child deserves protection. Every survivor deserves to be heard. And every institution entrusted with the care of children should be held accountable when it fails to protect them.
