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6/11/2026
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Governor McKee signs legislation expanding access to justice for child sex abuse victims
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 STATE HOUSE — On Thursday, June 11, Governor Dan McKee was joined by bill sponsors and survivors to sign legislation expanding access to justice for child sex abuse victims.
The legislation (2026-H 7200A, 2026-S 2616A), championed by House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, Narragansett, South Kingstown) and Sen. Mark McKenney (D-Dist. 30, Warwick), amends the statute of limitations for claims of sexual abuse of a child and creates a two-year window for victims to bring otherwise time-barred claims against institutions and supervisors accused of enabling or covering up sexual abuse.
“Too many victims have been denied justice for far too long. It’s often said that justice delayed is justice denied. This was true for many years in Rhode Island for childhood victims of sexual assault, but today, these brave survivors were finally given the opportunity to secure justice for themselves, and I am extremely grateful to my House colleagues and the Senate for the overwhelming passage of the bill and to Governor McKee for signing it,” said Chairwoman McEntee.
“At no point in this process did we ever stop working to find a way to bring a strong and constitutional bill to the floor so that victims can access justice,” said Senator McKenney. “This legislation will apply to institutions the civil culpability that we have already applied to the perpetrators. To see why this is so necessary, one only needs to look to the Attorney General’s report on abuses, which describes the shameful actions of an institution more interested in protecting its reputation than the children in their care.”
The ceremony included accounts from Jim Scanlan, Dr. Herbert Brennan, Ann Hagan Webb, and Robert Houllahan, four child sex abuse survivors.
“As a governor, a father, and grandfather, my heart is heavy thinking of the tragedies these survivors and their families have endured. This legislation will help deliver justice that so many are owed,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I want to thank everyone who had the courage to tell their stories, and those who fought this fight for years, especially Chairwoman McEntee and Sen. McKenney. Today is your day, and I’m proud to sign this law.”
The new law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Photo: From the left – Sen. Dawn Euer, Dr. Ann Hagan Webb, Speaker Christopher R. Blazejewski, Sen. Mark McKenney, Dr. Kathryn Robb, Governor Dan McKee, Jim Scanlan, Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee, Chairman Matthew L. LaMountain and Dr. Herbert Brennan
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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