Newsom Signs SB 577, Raising Bar for Older Abuse Survivors Suing California Counties

Sacramento, California — People who were sexually abused as children in California foster care, juvenile halls and public schools now face a higher legal bar to hold counties, cities and school districts accountable. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 577 on Sept. 30, 2026, requiring survivors 40 and older to prove older claims against public entities by clear and convincing evidence.

The law, by Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, also limits public agencies’ share of judgments when others share blame and bars treble damages against them. It adds new oversight of foster care group homes and juvenile detention facilities and orders the state attorney general to investigate sexual abuse in Los Angeles County juvenile detention centers.

What the law changes for survivors

According to a CalMatters Digital Democracy summary of the law, a plaintiff 40 or older who sues a public entity on or after Jan. 1, 2026, over abuse that happened before Jan. 1, 2024, must show by clear and convincing evidence that the entity knew of misconduct that led to the abuse and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. Those plaintiffs must also file certificates of merit with the complaint itself.

For suits filed on or after Jan. 1, 2027, a public entity is not jointly liable for economic damages unless it is found more than 15% at fault. The Imprint reported that under prior law, even 1% fault could trigger shared liability. Attorneys who bring a childhood sexual assault claim in bad faith face a $25,000 civil penalty per violation.

The law does not cap damages, which Laird’s office said leaves survivors able to seek justice. Before the signing, Caroline Heldman, co-founder of Stand With Survivors, urged Newsom to veto the bill, telling CalMatters the evidence rule creates an “impossible standard” for people who seek justice later in life.

Why counties pushed for limits

Thousands of lawsuits followed a 2019 California law that lifted the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims, according to The Imprint. Los Angeles County settlement payouts for abuse in foster care and juvenile justice placements total nearly $5 billion. A California State Association of Counties survey found 19 of the state’s 58 counties were liable for $12.4 billion.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman suggested in a June legal filing that up to 81% of claims in the county’s $4 billion settlement could be fraudulent, The Imprint reported. The new law directs the attorney general to examine reports of fraudulent abuse claims in Los Angeles County and the city of Santa Monica as part of its investigation.

New oversight of foster care and juvenile halls

The law requires the state Community Care Licensing Division to step up monitoring of foster care residential facilities when sexual abuse, grooming, exploitation or retaliation is substantiated or repeatedly alleged, according to the Youth Law Center. It also creates confidential ways for young people to report harm.

The Office of Youth and Community Restoration and the Board of State and Community Corrections must build an oversight framework for juvenile detention facilities that includes independent investigations. The plan is due July 1, 2028, with implementation by July 1, 2030. Counties, cities and school districts must also adopt codes of conduct and sexual assault prevention plans and submit them to the attorney general by Jan. 1, 2028.

an important and necessary first step toward reform

Gov. Gavin Newsom, signing message, as reported by The Imprint

Where accountability stands

The abuse behind these lawsuits happened in group homes, foster placements and county juvenile halls. The new evidence rule falls on survivors who come forward later in life, while the agencies that ran those facilities gain new limits on what they owe.

Jennifer Rodriguez, executive director of the Youth Law Center, said a law alone cannot guarantee oversight that is independent and willing to act.

Agencies that hold children in custody have long operated with little outside scrutiny, and accountability often arrives only through lawsuits filed years later. SB 577 narrows that route for older survivors while promising oversight that will not be fully in place until 2030. FAN tracks these foster care system problems case by case.

Key facts

• Newsom signed SB 577 by Sen. John Laird on Sept. 30, 2026; it is Chapter 971, Statutes of 2026.
• Survivors 40 and older suing public entities over pre-2024 abuse must meet a clear-and-convincing evidence standard.
• Public entities are not jointly liable for economic damages unless found more than 15% at fault, for suits filed on or after Jan. 1, 2027.
• Attorneys face a $25,000 civil penalty for each childhood sexual assault claim brought in bad faith.
• The law bars treble damages against public entities and does not cap damages.
• The attorney general must investigate sexual abuse in Los Angeles County juvenile detention centers and report by June 30, 2029.

Sources

• Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom — Governor Newsom issues legislative update 9.30.2026 (2026-09-30)
• The Imprint — Newsom Signs Bill Providing New Sex Abuse Protections for Youth in Foster Care and Detention Facilities (2026-10-09)
• CalMatters — School sex abuse bill going to Newsom: Will he sign the hard-won compromise? (2026-08-30)
• Youth Law Center — Governor Newsom signs SB 577; Youth Law Center calls for urgent implementation of new child safety protections (2026-10-01)
• CalMatters Digital Democracy — SB 577 bill status and summary (2026-09-30)
• Office of Sen. John Laird — Laird goes 17 for 17 as Governor Newsom signs full 2026 legislative package (2026-09-30)

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