January 23, 2023 - AIM president and CEO Ray McCarty testified in support of SB 117, sponsored by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, that would reduce the time allowed to bring a lawsuit from the current five years to two years.
"Missouri's statute of limitations is five years, longer than all but three states," said McCarty. "The longer the statute of limitations, the more likely evidence will be lost, witnesses' memories can fade, witnesses may retire or pass away, etc., making it difficult to defend against a lawsuit. Missouri should bring our statute of limitations in line with the majority of states that have a statute of limitations of two years or less."
Twenty-three other states have a two-year limit on bringing lawsuits, 16 states and the District of Columbia have a three-year limit, four states have a four-year limit, one has a one-year limit and only three require lawsuits to be filed within six years.
We will advise you as this bill progresses. It is the top priority of a broad coalition of businesses and business associations, including Associated Industries of Missouri.