Ohio lawmakers attempt to extend time to file lawsuits in sex offense cases

Ohio lawmakers have again introduced a bipartisan effort to make changes to a statute of limitations regarding sex offenses. 

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, introduced Ohio Senate Bill 421 earlier this month, which would increase the state’s statute of limitations for civil action, like lawsuits seeking financial damages, from one year to five years.

Antonio cited data from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey that found that more than half of women and almost one in three men have experienced “sexual violence involving physical contact” in their lives.

Ohio-specific data from the state’s Incident Based Reporting System showed more than 3,800 incidents of rape in 2025, Antonio told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“As elected officials, it is our moral duty and responsibility to help protect our constituents against these heinous acts, particularly because sexual assault is severely underreported,” Antonio said.

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The legislation, which is co-sponsored by Republican Ohio Sen. Nathan Manning, raises the statute of limitations on civil action in part because data shows trauma can delay reporting, and the processing of sex offenses can take more time than the law allows, according to the minority leader.

“By the time a survivor has decided they would like to sue for financial damages – and I would say they’re feeling like they can follow through with that action – the current statute has run out, leaving them with no recourse, and leaving them behind,” Antonio told the committee, of which Manning is the chair.

Antonio has taken the lead on many similar pieces of legislation over the years, attempting to extend limitations on charges like rape and other sexual offenses, including bipartisan legislation to close a loophole involving marital rape.

An Ohio House measure closing that loophole passed in 2024.

Most other measures haven’t made it to the level of a full vote in the House and Senate, but Antonio said it’s important to keep trying, even if just to keep the topic fresh in the minds of policymakers.

“Sometimes we introduce bills to talk about an issue because it’s a critical issue we should be talking about, but we think there’s probably no chance we’ll ever pass legislation,” Antonio said.

“This bill considers our legislative makeup, it considers all of the actions that the legislature has taken in the past, and is a real, common sense way to move forward.”

Statutes of limitations for criminal charges related to sex offenses vary from state to state, ranging from no limit for offenses like rape or sexual abuse involving a minor in some states, to statutes similar to Ohio.

Ohio currently has a 20 year limit for pursuing criminal charges such as rape and sexual battery, along with the one year limit on civil action related to sex offenses.

Ohio’s statute of limitations for charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor is 20 years after the victim turns 18.

With S.B. 421, Antonio said the co-sponsors are trying to change the policy and show those who have had to experience sex offenses that their government is paying attention.

“We must demonstrate to survivors across our state that they are a priority by holding their perpetrators accountable for their actions,” Antonio said.

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