Justice Law Collaborative Calls on Massachusetts Legislature to Pass H.4539: “Justice Should Not Depend on a Deadline”

For Immediate Release July 6, 2026

Boston, MA / Los Angeles, CA. For more than two years, Justice Law Collaborative has worked alongside survivors, legislators, and child advocacy organizations to advance meaningful reforms that better protect children and expand access to justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Massachusetts.

Founding Partners Paula Bliss and Kimberly Dougherty have testified before legislative committees in support of H.4539, An Act Enhancing Remedies for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, standing alongside courageous clients who shared their own experiences to help lawmakers understand why these reforms are urgently needed. Attorney Kelly Guagenty has joined them at the Massachusetts State House, meeting with legislators and advocating for legislation that places survivors and child safety first. We are working toward accountability for institutions who harbor perpetrators.

“Our clients have shown extraordinary courage by sharing deeply personal experiences in the hope that future generations will be better protected,” said Kimberly Dougherty, Founding Partner at Justice Law Collaborative. “It has been an honor to stand beside them, not only in the courtroom but also before our legislators. Their voices have driven this movement.”

H.4539 would strengthen the rights of survivors by:

  • Eliminating the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims.
  • Creating a two-year lookback window for survivors whose claims were previously time-barred.
  • Removing the $20,000 charitable immunity cap so survivors can seek full accountability from both perpetrators and negligent institutions.
  • Eliminating the governmental notice requirement that can prevent survivors from pursuing claims against public entities.

Justice Law Collaborative also celebrates the passage of legislation strengthening protections against educator sexual misconduct, an important step toward preventing abuse before it occurs. While this represents meaningful progress, additional reforms remain essential to ensure survivors have meaningful access to justice.

“Trauma does not follow a legal deadline,” said Paula Bliss, Founding Partner at Justice Law Collaborative. “Survivors often need years or even decades before they are ready to come forward. Our laws should reflect the realities of trauma, not create barriers that shield institutions from accountability.”

Attorney Kelly Guagenty emphasized that meaningful reform requires both prevention and accountability.

“We have spent countless hours meeting with legislators, advocating alongside survivors, and working with coalition partners because we believe every survivor deserves the opportunity to be heard. This legislation is about restoring that opportunity while helping protect future generations from abuse.”

Justice Law Collaborative encourages Massachusetts residents to contact their legislators and urge support for H.4539.

The firm’s attorneys remain committed to working alongside survivors, advocates, and lawmakers until these critical reforms become law.

How You Can Help

If you lived or currently live in Massachusetts, contact your state representative today and ask them to support H.4539. Every email, phone call, and conversation helps move this legislation forward. Click here to begin.

Justice should not expire. Survivors deserve to be heard.

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Justice Law Collaborative attorneys Kimberly Dougherty, Paula Bliss, and Kelly Guagenty bring more than two decades of experience advocating for survivors through litigation and have spent more than five years working alongside survivors, legislators, and advocacy organizations to advance meaningful reforms protecting children and expanding access to justice. Attorney Karen Menzies adds five years of legislative advocacy experience, including supporting the drafting and passage of childhood sexual abuse revival window legislation.