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An article by Cal Matters reporter Carolyn Jones paints a picture of Samantha Muñoz when she was in second grade. Her teacher at Fancher Creek Elementary in Clovis told her she needed extra help. He would keep her in from recess or ask her to sit close while others worked. During these moments, Muñoz says, she experienced repeated sexual misconduct, including abuse.
Muñoz, now 28 and living in Fresno County, is one of many survivors sharing their stories under California’s AB 218 law, which allowed people who experienced childhood abuse to file lawsuits regardless of how long ago the events occurred. Her claim is part of a lawsuit against Clovis Unified School District, which she says failed to act over several years despite concerns about the teacher’s behavior. The district has not commented on the case due to pending litigation.
For Muñoz, the long-term impact was profound. She struggled in school, found it difficult to trust adults, and didn’t talk about her experience until years later. “I just didn’t know who to run to,” she said. “But now I’ve figured, no one should be living like this… it needs awareness and closure.”
AB 218, passed in 2019 and in effect starting in 2020, temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for survivors to pursue civil claims. Since then, more than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed against schools and government agencies across California. Some allegations date back to the 1940s. While some of the individuals named in the lawsuits are no longer alive, the focus of many claims is on the broader institutional responsibility of school districts and whether warning signs were overlooked or ignored.
The financial impact on public institutions has been substantial. Some cases have resulted in payouts of $5 to $10 million. In 2023, a jury awarded $135 million in a case against Moreno Valley Unified. Los Angeles Unified School District anticipates settlements exceeding $500 million. Combined, claims under AB 218 are approaching $3 billion statewide.
Smaller school districts have been especially hard-hit. Carpinteria Unified, a modest district near Santa Barbara, is facing several lawsuits related to past incidents. Superintendent Diana Rigby explained that the district, with a $42 million budget, is struggling under legal fees and the potential cost of settlements. The district has already cut programs and laid off staff. “It’s untenable,” Rigby said. “We believe all the victims need to be compensated… but AB 218 is causing current students and taxpayers to pay for crimes that happened 50 years ago, that they had nothing to do with.”
In Montecito, an affluent community near Santa Barbara, the local elementary district is also facing claims dating back to the 1970s. A lawsuit filed in 2023 by three former students could result in a $20 million settlement—more than the district’s entire yearly budget. Because the insurer from that era no longer exists, the cost would fall entirely on the district.
Superintendent Anthony Ranii noted the emotional weight of the allegations, while also expressing concern about fairness to today’s students. “We were heartbroken to hear these allegations,” Ranii said. “But none of us were here then… We’re putting the responsibility for something that might or might not have happened in 1972 100% on the heads of students in 2025. That’s not fair.”
Efforts to find a policy solution are underway. Senate Bill 577, introduced by Sen. John Laird, would reintroduce a statute of limitations and give school districts more flexibility to manage settlements through bonding. Some education advocates argue that the legal framework needs greater balance, especially when it comes to financial protections for schools. Others stress that survivors must retain full access to the legal system.
Advocacy groups differ on the best path forward. Some call for the creation of a state-run victims’ support fund. Others worry that such a fund could limit survivors’ ability to have their stories heard in court. Mike Fine, head of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, believes the most important step is prevention—setting clear policies and accountability standards so that school environments are safer moving forward.
For Muñoz, sharing her story has been an act of courage. The former teacher she accused was convicted in 2014 on multiple charges involving other students and is currently serving a lengthy sentence. Muñoz says she only began to speak about her experience after learning how childhood trauma can affect people well into adulthood. She later joined the lawsuit after being contacted by attorneys representing another survivor.
“I just want other victims to know that they’re not the only ones,” she said. “It’s OK to talk about it. We need awareness if there’s going to be change.”
If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse within a school, foster care system, religious group, or any other institution, you are not alone, and you have rights. Visit SurvivorsRights.com’s institutional sexual abuse resource page to learn more about your legal options, how to recognize institutional negligence, and what steps you can take toward justice and healing. Our guide is confidential, comprehensive, and created to help survivors and their families take back power.
To get a free case review and have the opportunity to be connected with an experienced attorney who specializes in sexual abuse/assault/harassment cases, fill out the brief, confidential form below.
