Understanding AB 218: The California Child Victims Act
The historic $4 billion settlement for MacLaren Hall survivors did not happen by accident. It happened because the law changed.
For decades, thousands of survivors of childhood sexual abuse in California were blocked from seeking justice. The “Statute of Limitations” was too short. By the time many survivors were emotionally ready to speak out, the legal deadline had already passed. The county and other institutions used this technicality to avoid paying for the harm they caused.
That changed with the passage of Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), also known as the California Child Victims Act.
This groundbreaking law tore down the time barriers.1 It is the reason why Los Angeles County is finally being held accountable today.
What Did AB 218 Change?
Before AB 218, survivors generally had to file a lawsuit by their 26th birthday. This ignored the psychological reality of trauma, as many survivors repress memories or fear coming forward until much later in life.
Effective January 1, 2020, AB 218 introduced three critical changes:2
1. Extended Age Limit
The law extended the statute of limitations for filing civil lawsuits regarding childhood sexual assault to age 40 (previously age 26). This gave survivors an additional 14 years to come forward.
2. The “Lookback Window”
This was the most powerful part of the law. It opened a temporary three-year window (from 2020 to 2022) that allowed anyone to file a lawsuit, regardless of their age.
- It did not matter if you were 30, 50, or 80 years old.
- It did not matter if the abuse happened in 1960 or 1990.3
- This “window” is what allowed thousands of former MacLaren Hall residents to file the claims that make up the current settlement.
3. Treble Damages for “Cover-Ups”
AB 218 added a severe penalty for institutions that hide abuse. If a plaintiff can prove that an organization (like a church, school, or county facility) engaged in a “concerted effort to hide evidence” of sexual assault, they can sue for Treble Damages. This means the institution could be forced to pay three times the amount of the actual damages.
The “Discovery Rule”: Can I Still File in 2026?
The official “Lookback Window” for AB 218 technically closed on December 31, 2022.
However, this does not mean you are out of options.
California law includes a provision known as the Discovery Rule. This rule states that a survivor may still be able to file a lawsuit within five years of the date they “discovered” the link between their current psychological injuries and the past abuse.
- Example: If you are 50 years old and only recently realized through therapy that your current depression is caused by the abuse you suffered at MacLaren Hall, you may still be eligible to file a claim today.
Do not assume it is too late. Only a qualified attorney can review your specific timeline. If you believe you have a claim, you should contact a law firm specializing in sexual abuse litigation immediately.
AB 218 and the MacLaren Hall Settlement
The lawsuit against Los Angeles County regarding MacLaren Hall and other juvenile facilities (like Camp Joseph Scott) is a direct result of AB 218.
Because the law exposed the county to billions of dollars in potential liability—especially with the threat of “Treble Damages” for covering up the abuse—the Board of Supervisors ultimately agreed to settle.
The $4 billion settlement approved in 2025 covers the claims filed under this law.
- If you filed a claim under AB 218: You are likely part of this settlement class. You are now waiting for the Claims Administrator to determine your “Tier” and issue your check.
- If you missed the filing window: You may need to speak to an attorney about the “Discovery Rule” or other legal avenues to join the second wave of litigation.
Waiting for Your AB 218 Payout?
If you are one of the thousands of plaintiffs who filed a claim under the Child Victims Act, you have won the legal battle. Now, you are just waiting for the bureaucracy to catch up.
Due to the volume of AB 218 cases, payouts are delayed. America Lawsuit Loans helps survivors access their settlement money early.
- Non-Recourse Funding: We advance you cash now, and your attorney repays us from your AB 218 settlement later.
- No Credit Checks: Your approval is based entirely on the strength of your legal claim.
