ALBANY — The Assembly has a new lead advocate for the Child Victims Act, which is designed to make it easier for child sex abuse victims to seek legal recourse as adults.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan) will carry the legislation after its longtime sponsor, Margaret Markey (D-Queens), lost her primary in September.
Rosenthal, one of several legislators who expressed interest internally of picking up the fight, was selected by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
“I really wanted this bill because I think it’s so important in terms of protecting our children who are vulnerable to pedophiles who have not been brought to justice, as well as helping to heal survivors who have been denied justice,” she said. “I will be a strong advocate for this.”
While Rosenthal has helped shepherd controversial legislation like an anti-Airbnb bill through her chamber, the Child Victims Act promises to be among her toughest challenges. The bill has languished in the Legislature for over a decade.
Gov. Cuomo last week introduced his own comprehensive plan that would eliminate the statute of limitation on criminal child sex abuse cases and extend the timeframe a victim can bring a civil lawsuit to 50 years from when the incident occurred.
Currently, a civil lawsuit can be brought until a person’s 23rd birthday.
The legislation would also provide a one-year look-back window for child sex abuse victims who can no longer sue under current law to bring cases, something religious organizations and other groups oppose.
Local governments, schools, and the powerful teacher unions in the past have also opposed a measure Cuomo is pitching to treat public and private institutions the same when it comes to sex abuse cases.
Under current law, someone abused in public entities must file a notice of intent to sue within 90 days of the attack, whereas victims in private institutions have until their 23rd birthday.
Rosenthal said she will wait to see the specific bill language of what the governor is proposing.
“I’m glad he’s on board with this,” she said. “It will be a big effort to get this done, but I’m confident we can get it done this year.
“We have some new members and renewed interest in this subject,” she added. “Most people are finally coming to the understanding that there are predators walking our streets who endanger our children and survivors are being denied justice. Part of our job is to project children and deliver justice, and not just shield politically connected institutions.”
Kathryn Robb, who was abused as a child by her brother, said she and other advocates have had “meaningful and intelligent” conversations with the Assembly Democratic leadership. She said the biggest roadblock continues to be in the Republican-controlled Senate.
“Their avoidance of the topic puts them squarely and firmly on the same side as sexual predators and injustice,” Robb said.
Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan has said recently it’s too early to say whether the legislation will take to the floor of his chamber for a vote.
Gary Greenberg, a child sexual abuse survivor who created a political action committee to fight for the Child Victims Act, praised Rosenthal’s selection to carry the bill.
“She’ll be a great advocate,” he said. “She has a good history of getting bills through.”
An online petition Greenberg posted has already garnered more than 60,000 signatures as of Sunday morning.
Greenberg, who last year was critical of Cuomo for not doing enough to get the Child Victims Act passed, was impressed enough with the governor’s proposal that he said he and his PAC will endorse the governor’s 2018 reelection bid.
“I feel he’s really committed to it,” he said. “It’s just not words. I think he realizes the seriousness of what victims are going through. He sees how behind New York has been as a state.”
