May 24, 2022
Yesterday, May 23, 2022, the New York Assembly passed the Adult Survivors Act (“ASA”) (S.66/A.648). The bill now heads to the Governor who has indicated that she intends to sign it as early as today. The bill allows adult survivors of sexual abuse an opportunity to sue their abusers and institutions. Beginning six months after the Governor signs the bill, this legislation creates a one-year window for the revival of time-barred civil lawsuits based on sex crimes committed against individuals who were 18 years of age or older when the crime occurred. The ASA is modeled after the Child Victims’ Act (“CVA”) which provided such relief for person(s) under 18 years old. This statute may significantly impact institutions such as universities, colleges, and hospitals wherein allegations of sexual abuse against adults (18 years and older) may have taken place