Assembly passes child sex abuse bill, now up to Senate

By Michael Gormley
Newsday
June 7, 2017

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/spin-cycle/assembly-passes-child-sex-abuse-bill-now-up-to-senate-1.13715727

ALBANY — The Assembly overwhelmingly passed a measure Wednesday that would allow sexually abused children many more years to try to prosecute or sue their abuser.

The bill passed 129-7 after a sometimes emotional debate. The bill now goes to the Senate where advocates believe the Child Victims Act faces its best chance of approval in the 10 years it has been proposed. The Senate’s Republican majority has for years blocked the bill, which has been strongly opposed by the Catholic Church and other religious groups. The groups have warned the measure could bankrupt faith-based organizations and the social service programs they operate.

“Without the law, the weak are defenseless,” said Assemb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) in supporting the bill. “And without the law, the vulnerable are even more vulnerable.”

The bill would extend the statute of limitations for criminal cases by five years, provide a one-year period to bring old cases, and allow civil cases to be lodged until the victim is 50 years of age, rather than 23 years old under current law.