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Ohio lawmakers have renewed a bipartisan effort to make changes to the statute of limitations for sex crimes.
Earlier this month, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio D-Lakewood introduced Ohio Senate Bill 421, which would extend the state’s statute of limitations for civil actions, such as suits for financial damages, from one year to five years.
Antonio cited data from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey, which found that more than half of women and almost one in three men have experienced “sexual violence involving physical contact” in their lives.
Ohio data from the state’s incident reporting system showed more than 3,800 rape cases in 2025, Antonio told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“As elected officials, it is our moral duty and responsibility to help protect our constituents from these heinous acts, especially since cases of sexual assault are far under-reported,” Antonio said.
The legislation, co-sponsored by Ohio Republican Sen. Nathan Manning, raises the statute of limitations on civil lawsuits in part because data shows trauma can delay reporting, and the minority leader says sex crimes can take longer to resolve than the law allows.
“By the time a survivor decides they want to file a lawsuit for financial compensation – and I would say they feel they can do so – the current statute has expired, leaving them without recourse and leaving them behind,” Antonio told the commission, which Manning chairs.
Antonio took the lead in many cases similar pieces through years of legislation trying to expand restrictions on charges such as rape and other sex crimes, including bipartisan legislation to close the loophole marital rape.
Ohio House of Representatives solution to close this loophole passed in 2024.
Most other measures failed to reach the level of a full vote in the House and Senate, but Antonio said it was essential to continue trying, even if just to keep the topic fresh in the minds of policymakers.
“Sometimes we introduce bills to discuss an issue because it’s a key issue we should be talking about, but we think there’s probably no chance we’ll ever pass the legislation,” Antonio said.
“This bill takes into account our legislative makeup, takes into account all the actions the Legislature has taken in the past, and is a real, common-sense way forward.”
Statutes of limitations for criminal charges related to sex crimes vary by state, ranging from no limits for crimes such as rape or sexual abuse of a minor in some states to statutes similar to those in Ohio.
Ohio currently has a 20-year limit on bringing criminal claims such as rape and sexual battery, along with a one-year limit on civil claims for sex crimes.
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for charges of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor is 20 years after the victim turns 18.
Antonio said that with SB 421, co-sponsors are trying to change policy and show people who have experienced sexual crimes that their government is paying attention.
“We must show survivors across the state that they are a priority by holding perpetrators accountable for their actions,” Antonio said.
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