US EditionCalifornia Schools Face Billion-Dollar Sex Abuse Payouts: ‘It’s Untenable’
CALIFORNIA, JUL 10 – California school districts face nearly $3 billion in claims under AB 218, leading to budget cuts and staff layoffs as settlements reach $5 million to $10 million per case, officials said.
- In 2023, three former students filed a lawsuit against a California school district over sexual abuse that occurred from 1972 to 1976 near Santa Barbara.
- The lawsuit emerged due to AB 218, a 2020 sexual abuse reform law that has prompted many claims, causing financial strain on districts like Moreno Valley Unified.
- Additional liabilities include a $135 million jury verdict in Riverside County and nearly $3 billion in statewide claims, with Los Angeles County settling 6,800 cases for $4 billion in April 2023.
- Superintendent Diana Rigby stated, "You do the math," emphasizing the district's struggles to compensate victims, while Senator John Laird noted there is insufficient legislative support to limit settlements.
- The financial burdens have forced districts to cut programs and staff, suggesting continued fiscal challenges unless relief measures like SB 577 pass to ease settlement payments.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Horry County Schools offers $675K to families of children abused by special education teacher
Horry County Schools has offered to pay at least $675,000 to the families of children who were abused by a special education teacher at Ocean Bay Elementary School in 2022.
California schools face billion-dollar sex abuse payouts: 'It's untenable'
A California law that temporarily dropped the statute of limitations to file claims over sexual abuse has resulted in a slew of payouts. Most payments range from $5 million to $10 million, but some are much higher. Overall, the claims ...
California Schools Face Billion-Dollar Sex Abuse Payouts: ‘It’s Untenable’
A California law took effect in 2020 that dropped the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits, provided a three-year window for victims to file claims, and otherwise made it easier for them to sue school districts and counties.
Associated Press News
California schools face billion-dollar sex abuse payouts: ‘It’s untenable’
When Samantha Muñoz was a second grader at Fancher Creek Elementary in Clovis, her teacher told her she “wasn’t that bright” and needed extra help with schoolwork.
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