Senate Democrats, Senate And Assembly Bill Sponsors Demand Action Immediate Passage Of Child Victims Act

Albany, NY - The Senate Democratic Conference today urged the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition to support the Child Victims Act proposaladvanced by Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal. This legislation has also been advanced by Governor Cuomo through a Program Bill. The Senate Democrats have repeatedly called for passage of this common sense, pro-survivor legislation, but the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition has refused to advance it for a vote and voted down efforts to bring it to the floor.

“The Child Victims Act is a good bill that should be supported by all members of the New York State Senate,” Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “This exact legislation passed the State Assembly with overwhelming, bi-partisan support. State government should protect our children and stand up for the survivors of this heinous crime. I commend Senator Hoylman and Assemblymember Rosenthal for their leadership on this issue, and urge the Senate Republican/IDC Coalition to advance and support this bill immediately.”

Senate Sponsor of the Child Victims Act, Senator Brad Hoylman, said, “This is a breakthrough moment for survivors of child sexual abuse. Senate Democrats, the Assembly and the Executive are now all in agreement that we need to fix New York's broken statute of limitations. I hope the momentum we've seen will show Senate Republicans that they're the only thing standing between thousands of child sex abuse survivors and justice.”

Assembly Sponsor of the Child Victims Act, Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, said, “The Assembly, the Executive and the Senate Democrats are in lock step, and we must seize this moment to deliver long-awaited justice to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. They have already been victimized once; we cannot allow them to become victims of the political process. As the proud sponsor of the Child Victims Act, which passed the Assembly with overwhelming support by a vote of 139-7, I urge the Senate to stand with children, their families and the victims of childhood sexual assault by passing this legislation in the remaining week of session.”

Senator Tim Kennedy said, “Under current New York State law, we’re not only failing to give child sexual abuse victims the time they need to process and grieve this unimaginable offense, but we’re allowing abusers the opportunity to commit these tragic acts again. Enough is enough. It’s time we as a state put politics aside and put the safety and best interests of our children first. With a week left in legislative session, we have ample time to get this legislation to the floor for a vote, and I stand ready to do the right thing by New York’s countless survivors.”

Bridie Farrell, Survivor, said, “We are tremendously proud to work alongside sponsors Senator Brad Hoylman, Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Woman Linda Rosenthal. Passage of the Child Victims Act is a clear priority for nearly all of the Leaders, including Governor Cuomo and we applaud their collective efforts. This fair and carefully balanced legislation is the result of 11 years of hard work and dedication. It’s time to get this done. Survivors have waited long enough to access the justice system.”

Ana Wagner, Survivor, said, “Momentum is on our side. We are grateful to see such broad bi-partisan support of the Child Victims Act. It is now time for the Senate Republican conference to join their colleagues and pass a bill this year. This law will go a long way toward keeping children safe and that should be the number one priority of all policymakers.”

Michael Polenberg, VP of Government Affairs at Safe Horizon, said, “Governor Cuomo's program bill is a crucial step forward. We thank him and our steadfast bill sponsors for standing with survivors and advocates. We call on Senator Flanagan to join us in our fight to bring survivors the justice they need.”

When passed into law, the Child Victims Act will:

• Raise the criminal statute of limitations for several child sexual abuse crimes to age 28;
• Raise the civil statute of limitations for all causes of action brought by a person seeking redress for physical, psychological or other injury caused by child sexual abuse to age 50;
• Create a one year window, starting six months from the effective date of the bill, for past victims of child sexual abuse to initiate lawsuits against their abusers; and
• Create parity in how regulations impact public and private institutions under these circumstances.