Albany, NY (WBEN) - A vote on the Child Victims Act is expected in the State Legislature this upcoming Monday.
The bill addresses criminal and civil sexual abuse statutes, and creates a one-year period for alleged victims to file civil lawsuits. If passed, it would give victims of child sex abuse until their 55th birthday to bring a civil lawsuit, up from the current age of 23.
The Child Victims Act has repeatedly passed the Assembly in past years, but never received a vote in the previously Republican-controlled Senate.
The act eliminates the notice of claim requirements for such actions when the action is brought against a municipality, the state or a school district and requires judicial training relating to child abuse and the establishment of rules relating to civil actions brought for sexual offenses committed against children.