L.A. County Seeks Changes to Law Fueling Billions in Sex Abuse Payouts

State legislators consider revising 2019 law that extended statute of limitations, leading to wave of decades-old claims

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Los Angeles County officials are pushing state legislators to change a 2019 law that extended the statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits, which has triggered a flood of decades-old claims and cost the county nearly $5 billion in payouts. Supervisor Kathryn Barger argues the law, known as Assembly Bill 218, has opened the floodgates for fraudulent claims, while supporters say it continues to give survivors a chance at justice. The debate has gained momentum amid concerns over alleged fabricated claims within a record $4 billion settlement approved last year, prompting a district attorney investigation.

Why it matters

The surge in sex abuse lawsuits stemming from AB 218 has strained local government budgets, forcing cuts to essential services like schools, parks, and health clinics. County officials warn the costs are driving them to the brink of bankruptcy, while victim advocates argue rolling back the law would silence survivors. The debate highlights the challenge of balancing the need to provide justice for victims with the fiscal realities facing municipalities.

The details

Supervisor Kathryn Barger has called on state legislators to "fix" AB 218, arguing the law has opened the door to fraudulent claims that have cost the county nearly $5 billion. The first $4 billion settlement approved last year, the largest sex abuse payout in U.S. history, is now under investigation by the district attorney's office over allegations of fabricated claims. County officials say the cost of litigating over 11,000 cases would be "astronomical," leaving them defenseless against potential fraud. They have proposed creating a victims compensation fund to expedite payouts without requiring survivors to hire attorneys.

  • In 2019, the California legislature passed Assembly Bill 218, which extended the statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits.
  • In April 2025, L.A. County approved a $4 billion settlement, the largest sex abuse payout in U.S. history, covering over 11,000 victims.
  • In October 2025, the county agreed to an additional $828 million settlement covering 400 more cases.
  • Since then, over 5,000 more cases have been filed that are not part of the previous settlements.

The players

Kathryn Barger

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who has called on state legislators to reform the 2019 law that extended the statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits.

Nathan Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who has opened an investigation into allegations of fabricated claims within the county's $4 billion sex abuse settlement.

Robert Rivas

The California Assembly Speaker who has assigned a group of legislators to examine potential changes to the 2019 law.

Lorena Gonzalez

The former California Assemblymember who wrote Assembly Bill 218 in 2019 before leaving the legislature to head the California Federation of Labor Unions.

Dawn Addis

A California Assemblymember and longtime advocate for sex abuse survivors who opposes rolling back the 2019 law.

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What they’re saying

“I want them in Sacramento to fix it. I have to believe that we are the tip of the iceberg.”

— Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor (Los Angeles Times)

“Silencing victims is not the way to get out fraud.”

— Dawn Addis, California Assemblymember (Los Angeles Times)

“The reason they're proposing a victims' fund is they continue to know that those people don't have any political power. The only power they have is to hire a lawyer and get justice.”

— John Manly, Sex abuse attorney (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The California Assembly Speaker has assigned a group of legislators to examine potential changes to the 2019 law that extended the statute of limitations for sex abuse lawsuits. The goal is to find a balance between providing meaningful access to justice for survivors while mitigating the financial strain on local governments.

The takeaway

The debate over reforming California's sex abuse law highlights the complex challenge of addressing decades-old claims of abuse while also protecting the fiscal health of municipalities. As local leaders warn of the unsustainable costs, victim advocates argue that rolling back the law would silence survivors. Resolving this tension will require carefully crafted legislative solutions that uphold justice while also preserving essential public services.