NJ Statute of Limitations Bill Aims to Help Victims of Sexual Abuse

The New Jersey Senate and Assembly have approved a bill lifting the civil statute of limitations on certain sexual offenses. The bill now heads to Governor Murphy’s office to sign so it can become law.

Specifically, the legislation would allow child victims to sue up until they turn 55 or within seven years of their first realization that the abuse caused harm. Currently, the law currently limits this range to two years. In addition, the bill would grant adult victims seven years to sue from the discovery of the abuse.

The bill would also give a two-year window to victims who were previously barred by the statute of limitation, and make it easier for victims to seek damages from the institutions that harmed them or enabled their abuse.

The legislation, which has been on New Jersey lawmakers’ radar for almost a decade, comes soon after the state’s five Roman Catholic dioceses released the names of 188 priests credibly accused sexually abusing minors over decades. With this statement, they also announced last month that they created a compensation fund for the victims.

Once signed, the bill would go into effect on December 1, 2019.