Catholic Church Abuse Lawsuit in California

California has been at the forefront of clergy abuse reform legislation. AB 218 (2019, effective January 2020) created a three-year lookback window that generated thousands of claims against California dioceses. AB 250 (2023) extended and expanded the window, which remains open through December 2027. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles reached the landmark $660 million settlement in 2007, compensating 508 survivors. All California childhood sexual abuse claims — regardless of when the abuse occurred — may be filed during this active window.

California's civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, outside the lookback window, is the later of age 40 or five years from the date the survivor discovers the connection between their injury and the abuse. This discovery rule has been critical for survivors whose trauma-related psychological injuries delayed recognition of the abuse's impact. During the active AB 250 window, the ordinary SoL is suspended and claims can proceed without meeting the standard discovery rule.

Multiple California dioceses are in active bankruptcy proceedings. The Diocese of Fresno filed in mid-2025; survivors with Fresno Diocese claims should contact an attorney immediately as the bar date for proof-of-claim filing may be imminent. The Diocese of San Diego is also in active bankruptcy with approximately 400 consolidated lawsuits. In bankruptcy, survivors file proofs of claim rather than civil complaints — missing the bar date permanently forfeits recovery rights.

California survivors can seek support through the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) at (916) 446-2520, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), and the National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673. The California Attorney General's Office maintains a clergy abuse reporting portal. CHILD USA (childusa.org) tracks California legislative developments and the status of the AB 250 window.