Reps. Russo, Synenberg Introduce Legislation to Extend Statute of Limitations for Survivors of Student Sexual Abuse

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) today announced that they have introduced House Bill (HB 659), legislation that would update the statute of limitations for student sexual abuse in Ohio.

“For too long, our laws have failed to reflect the reality that young people do not suddenly become safe from sexual predators the moment they turn 18. Students remain deeply vulnerable in college, training programs, and other educational settings where lopsided power dynamics and inexperience favor abusers,” said Rep. Russo. “Our legal protections must meet them where they are. By modernizing our laws, we are sending a clear message: survivors matter, accountability matters, and we are committed to building an educational system that truly protects students at every stage of their lives.”

“Higher education should not function as a shield from accountability,” said Rep. Synenberg. “When we send our children to college, we trust they are in a safe environment with their professors, administrators, and coaches but that trust is not always honored. Power imbalances and fear of retaliation often discourage reporting, but this bill allows students time to process what has happened to them and the opportunity to come forward when they are ready.” 

HB 659 will:

• Define student sexual abuse to include students between the ages of 17 and 24 pursuing traditional secondary higher education or career and technical education pathways;
• Allow survivors an additional 5 years to file a civil action from the date of discovery of DNA or fraudulently concealed evidence;
• Eliminate the damage caps for noneconomic loss in civil actions pertaining to student sexual abuse; and
• Extend the allowance for civil action to apply to both a perpetrator of sexual abuse and/or the entity that negligently facilitated that sexual abuse.

This change follows instances of student sexual abuse scandals at public universities such as the actions committed by Dr. Richard Strauss, who sexually abused hundreds of Ohio State University athletes over two decades, as well as actions by Lt. Col. Michael Kelvington, a former military science and leadership professor and OSU Army ROTC leader who plans to plead guilty to sexual misconduct charges involving a student in an upcoming military court appearance.

HB 659 awaits committee assignment.