The Maine Supreme Judicial Court overturned a 2021 law that had paved the way for dozens of child sexual assault lawsuits.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Maine challenged the law after it was sued by dozens of adults who claimed they were abused by clergy members.

The law allowed people to sue for decades-old claims of child sex abuse, previously barred by the state's statute of limitations.

Lawmakers in the state approved the law in 2021, and it was later challenged by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.