Maryland Child Victims Act 2023 Ruled Constitutional by Supreme Court

On February 3, 2025, the Supreme Court of Maryland ruled that the Child Victims Act (CVA) is constitutional. The CVA removed the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse, allowing survivors to file claims at any time.

The ruling was 4-3, with the majority determining that the 2017 law that previously limited lawsuits was actually an ordinary statute of limitations, not a statute of repose. This distinction was key because a statute of repose generally cannot be changed retroactively, while a statute of limitations can.

As a result, the CVA remains in effect, allowing victims of child sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred. The case was sent back to lower courts for further proceedings.

For survivors, this law is a recognition of their pain and resilience. Many victims of child sexual abuse do not come forward until much later in life — often after decades of struggling with trauma, shame, or fear.

By removing legal time limits, the Supreme Court affirms that justice should be available whenever a survivor is ready to seek it, not just within an arbitrary window. Now, thousands more may have access to justice.

What Does the Maryland Child Victims Act Do?

The Maryland Child Victims Act (CVA) of 2023 removes all statutes of limitations for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse, allowing survivors to file lawsuits no matter how much time has passed since the abuse occurred.

The Child Victims Act of 2023:

• Eliminates Time Limits: Previously, victims had until age 38 to file a civil lawsuit. The CVA removes this restriction, allowing survivors to sue at any age.
• Allows Retroactive Lawsuits: Survivors who were previously barred from suing due to expired time limits can now file claims against abusers and institutions.
• Caps on Damages: Claims against government entities (like public schools) are capped at $890,000 per offense, with claims against private institutions (like churches) capped at $1.5 million per defendant.
• Applies to Institutions and Individuals: Survivors can sue both individual perpetrators and institutions that may have enabled or covered up the abuse.

The law was challenged by institutions like the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and Howard County Public Schools. With the Maryland Supreme Court’s ruling, the CVA stands.

More than a mere legal change, the CVA is a powerful statement that survivors deserve to be heard — on their terms, in their own time.

Get Help Seeking Justice for Sexual Abuse

At Victim Advocacy Center, we believe victims of assault and sexual abuse deserve justice — and we’re here to help you get it.

Wherever you may be in the U.S., our team can help:

• You understand your legal rights and options after sexual abuse or physical assault
• Connect you with top lawyers and attorneys who can fight for you
• Provide resources to help with your healing

Get a free case review now to find out if we can help you seek justice. We strive to take care of the legal process, so you can focus on the healing process.