State Senate Stands Up for Survivors and Passes the Child Victims Act

(New York, NY) Senator Serrano and the Senate Majority today passed the Child Victims Act (S.2440) and reformed New York State’s outdated statute of limitations for child sexual abuse. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman and co-sponsored by Senator Serrano.

"It can take many years for child sexual abuse victims to report their ordeal or even understand how they have been harmed. While we cannot change what they have endured, today's vote sends a message to every survivor that New York cares and will stand with them when they are ready to seek justice," said Senator Serrano. "It also sends a message to every predator that our laws will hold them accountable, regardless of the passage of time, and that we will do everything we can to protect our children from abusers. I commend Senator Hoylman for his commitment to passing this important legislation."

The Child Victims Act will raise the criminal statute of limitations for several child sexual abuse crimes to age 28, and raise the civil statute of limitations for causes of action brought by someone seeking redress for physical, psychological or other injury caused by child sexual abuse to age 55. Additionally, this legislation will create a one-year window, starting six months from the effective date of the bill, for past survivors of child sexual abuse to initiate lawsuits against their abusers, and create parity in how regulations impact public and private institutions under these circumstances.

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