ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A new state law gives people who were sexually abused as children until Aug. 14, 2021 to file legal claims against individuals and public and private institutions over concern that closure of the courts amid the pandemic is keeping survivors from coming forward.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday he signed the latest extension for the legislation.
The law act lifted statute of limitations even for allegations that were decades old, initially for a filing period of one year.
"As New York continues to reopen and recover from a public health crisis, extending the look back window is the right thing to do and will help ensure that abusers and those who enabled them are held accountable," said Cuomo.
The original deadline for those making claims under the Child Victims Act was Aug. 14, 2020.
Cuomo initially moved the deadline to Jan. 14 with an executive order, and the new extension would move it to Aug. 14.
