What's happening
This bill removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting sex offenses committed against minors in New York.
Why it matters
Victims of child sexual abuse would have more time to come forward. , as prosecutions could be started at any point, regardless of how much time has passed since the offense. This addresses the reality that many survivors delay reporting due to trauma, fear, or manipulation by the abuser.
Potential to increase accountability for offenders. , since removing the statute of limitations means individuals could be prosecuted for crimes committed decades earlier, reducing the ability of perpetrators to evade justice due to delayed discovery.
Reporting to authorities becomes a critical factor. , as the period of limitation only begins once the crime is reported to law enforcement or child welfare agencies—and not before the survivor turns 18 if reported earlier—so early disclosure still matters, but delayed discovery no longer bars prosecution.
Institutional responses may change. , as organizations (schools, churches, etc.) might face greater scrutiny and legal exposure for historical abuse cases, incentivizing stronger protective policies and proactive reporting.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Limits on Sex Crime Prosecution
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
7 Co-sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Referred to codes
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1806
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 13, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PEOPLES-STOKES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes
AN ACT to amend the criminal procedure law, in relation to removing the statute of limitations for sex offenses committed against minors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 3 of section 30.10 of the criminal procedure law, as separately amended by chapters 3 and 320 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
(f) For purposes of a prosecution involving a sexual offense as defined in article one hundred thirty of the penal law, other than a sexual offense delineated in paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section, committed against a child less than eighteen years of age, incest in the first, second or third degree as defined in sections 255.27, 255.26 and 255.25 of the penal law committed against a child less than eighteen years of age, or use of a child in a sexual performance as defined in section 263.05 of the penal law, [the period of limitation shall not begin to run until the child has reached the age of eighteen or] or facilitating a sexual performance by a child with a controlled substance or alcohol as defined in section 263.30 of the penal law, the period of limitation shall not begin to run until the offense is reported to a law enforcement agency or statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment, [whichever occurs earlier] provided, however, if the offense was reported before the child reached eighteen years of age, the period of limitations shall not begin to run until the child has reached the age of eighteen.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03621-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.