Vitale Statement on the Expansion of the Civil Statute of Limitations

Trenton – Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee Chair Senator Joseph Vitale issued the following statement today on the landmark legislation he sponsored that expands the civil statute of limitations for victims of sexual assault in New Jersey:

“Today is a milestone. After so many years, and such a long fight, the law that expands the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault is now in effect. Victims can file their civil cases and begin, within the legal system, their journey to justice.

“I’d like to thank, again, my colleagues in the Legislature, the tireless work of the advocacy organizations and the selfless actions and support of so many victims across the state who poured their hearts out to create change. I hope the news that victims can begin filing their cases under this new law spreads far and wide, and we hold the perpetrators and institutions accountable everywhere we can.”

The law went into effect on December 1, 2019 and extends the previous statute of limitations from two years to seven years for adult victims of sexual assault.

Additionally, if an incident of sexual assault occurred before the victim turns 18, that person is now able to file a claim any time up until they turn 55. Today, any person previously time barred has a period of two years to bring a case.