(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 28-3-116

  • Age of majority: means eighteen (18) years of age or older. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Minor: means any person who has not attained eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) “Child sexual abuse” means any act set out in § 37-1-602(a)(3), that occurred when the victim was a minor;
(2) “Discovery” means when the injured person becomes aware that the injury or illness was caused by child sexual abuse. Discovery that the injury or illness was caused by child sexual abuse shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the injured person’s awareness, knowledge, or memory of the acts of abuse;
(3) “Injury or illness” means either a physical injury or illness or a psychological injury or illness; and
(4) “Minor” means a person under eighteen (18) years of age.
(b) Notwithstanding § 28-3-104, a civil action for an injury or illness based on child sexual abuse that occurred when the injured person was a minor must be brought:

(1) For child sexual abuse that occurred before July 1, 2019, but was not discovered at the time of the abuse, within three (3) years from the time of discovery of the abuse by the injured person; or
(2) For child sexual abuse that occurred on or after July 1, 2019, within the later of:

(A) Fifteen (15) years from the date the person becomes eighteen (18) years of age; or
(B) If the injury or illness was not discovered at the time of the abuse, within three (3) years from the time of discovery of the abuse by the injured person.
(c) A person bringing an action under this section need not establish or prove:

(1) Which act in a series of continuing child sexual abuse incidents by the alleged perpetrator caused the injury or illness complained of, but may compute the date of discovery from the date of discovery of the last act by the same alleged perpetrator which is part of a common scheme or pattern of child sexual abuse; or
(2) That the injured person psychologically repressed the memory of the facts upon which the claim is predicated.
(d) In an action brought under this section, the knowledge of a parent or guardian shall not be imputed to a minor.
(e) If an action is brought against someone other than the alleged perpetrator of the child sexual abuse, and if the action is brought more than one (1) year from the date the injured person attains the age of majority, the injured person must offer admissible and credible evidence corroborating the claim of abuse by the alleged perpetrator.
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