This was written by staff at the nonprofit newsroom EdSource. It was republished by The Mendocino Voice in partnership with EdSource to bring relevant education news to Mendocino County readers. Learn more about EdSource here.
SACRAMENTO, CA., 8/26/2026 — As the end of the legislative session nears, Sacramento lawmakers are again debating whether to reform a law that has enabled countless lawsuits and hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements against school districts and other public agencies that serve youth.
At issue is AB 218, a 2020 law that lifted the statute of limitations to sue for childhood sexual abuse and enabled a blitz of costly litigation against schools and public agencies. In some cases, victims have received tens of millions of dollars for sexual assaults and abuses they claim took place decades ago at the hands of teachers and other public employees.
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, has floated capping victim payouts, a move opposed by victim’s rights groups and plaintiff lawyers.
Two people with knowledge of the situation have told EdSource in recent days that it’s unlikely state lawmakers will pass a reform bill this year. A similar effort collapsed in the waning days of the legislative session last year. No legislation had been introduced as of late Thursday. The legislative session ends Aug. 31.
Still, competing groups worked to call attention to their positions on Thursday. Victims’ rights groups, backed by lawyers, rallied outside the California State Capitol in Sacramento. They said they were concerned about talks of possible “legislation that would slam the courthouse door on survivors,” limit damages and burden victims with the costs of treatment, Chantel Johnson, an advocate at the San Francisco-based Youth Law Center, said in a statement.
Late Thursday, a coalition of public agencies — including counties, school districts, cities and joint power authorities — met on Zoom to push their position that the settlements are too costly and are cutting deeply into basic government services.
EdSource reported in March that reform ideas being kicked around this year were similar to 2025 proposals, such as limiting awards and setting higher legal standards to win a case.
The vast majority of cases settle before reaching a trial, let alone jury deliberations.
This article first appeared in EdSource here.