The Adult Survivors Act (CPLR § 214-j) is a New York law signed on May 24, 2022. It gave adult survivors of sexual abuse a one-year window — November 24, 2022 to November 24, 2023 — to file civil lawsuits even when the normal statute of limitations had already expired. More than 3,700 claims were filed during that window. The window is now closed, but understanding this law helps survivors know what options remain open today.
Why New York Passed the Adult Survivors Act
For many people who survive sexual abuse, coming forward takes years — sometimes decades. Trauma, shame, fear of retaliation, and power imbalances all delay disclosure. Under New York law before 2022, adult survivors typically had a limited window from the date of an offense to file a civil lawsuit, and the length varied by offense. Most survivors were past those deadlines before they felt ready to seek accountability.
The Adult Survivors Act was passed to fix that problem. New York had already passed the Child Victims Act in 2019, which created a lookback window for people who were sexually abused before age 18. The Adult Survivors Act applied the same logic to anyone who was 18 or older when the abuse occurred. If your claim had been barred by the statute of limitations, the ASA gave you a second chance.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the law on May 24, 2022 (Chapter 203 of the Laws of 2022). The lookback window opened six months later, on November 24, 2022, and ran for one year.
What CPLR § 214-j Actually Says
The Adult Survivors Act is codified as CPLR § 214-j ("Certain sexual offense actions"). Here is what it established:
Who could file a claim. Any person who was 18 or older at the time of the offense could sue during the lookback window — no matter when the abuse happened.
What conduct was covered. The law applied to claims based on "intentional or negligent acts or omissions" that caused physical, psychological, or other injury from conduct constituting a sexual offense under New York Penal Law Article 130. Article 130 covers offenses from forcible touching to rape. The law also covered incest under Penal Law §§ 255.26 and 255.27.
Who could be sued. Survivors could sue the individual perpetrator and third parties — employers, institutions, schools, hospitals, religious organizations, or any entity whose negligence enabled the abuse. The test for institutional liability is whether the entity "knew or should have known" about the risk.
Prior dismissals were blocked. If a court had already dismissed a case because the statute of limitations expired, that dismissal could not be used to throw out a new claim filed during the ASA window. The law blocked that defense.
Notice-of-claim waivers. Government defendants (city agencies, public schools) normally require a formal notice of claim before you can sue them. The Adult Survivors Act waived that requirement for window filings.
The full text of CPLR § 214-j is at nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/214-J.
The One-Year Lookback Window: Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 24, 2022 | Governor Hochul signs the Adult Survivors Act (Ch. 203) |
| November 24, 2022 | Lookback window opens |
| November 24, 2023 | Lookback window closes permanently |
| 2026–present | ASA window is closed; no extensions have passed |
During the 12-month window, over 3,700 civil lawsuits were filed in New York. High-profile cases named institutions across many industries: media companies, religious organizations, universities, and hotels.
The window is permanently closed. New lawsuits cannot be filed under the ASA's revival provision.
How the Adult Survivors Act Compared to the Child Victims Act
New York passed two major survivor-rights laws in recent years. Here is how they differ:
| Feature | Child Victims Act (2019) | Adult Survivors Act (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Victims under 18 at time of abuse | Victims 18 or older at time of abuse |
| Lookback window | Ran through August 14, 2021 | 1 year (closed November 23, 2023) |
| Ongoing statute of limitations | Permanent change — victims may sue until age 55 | Temporary lookback only; no permanent change |
| Primary source | CPLR § 214-g | CPLR § 214-j |
The Child Victims Act made lasting changes to the statute of limitations for childhood abuse. The Adult Survivors Act did not — it was a one-time window. This matters a lot for survivors who did not file during the ASA period.
What Survivors in New York Can Do Now
The Adult Survivors Act window closed in November 2023. Here is where things stand today.
For abuse occurring on or after 2019: New York extended the statute of limitations for certain qualifying sexual offenses. Under CPLR § 213-c, some of those claims may be brought up to 20 years after the offense. The exact time limit depends on the specific crime; if you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, speaking with an attorney is the clearest way to find out.
For older abuse not filed during the ASA window: The ASA is no longer available. But if the abuse occurred in New York City on or before January 9, 2022, a separate path may still exist.
The NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA) lookback window: In November 2025, the NYC Council passed Bill 1297-A by a 48–0 vote. After Mayor Adams vetoed it, the Council overrode the veto on January 29, 2026, enacting it as Law 2026/050. That law opened a new civil lookback window through July 29, 2027. The GMVA covers gender-motivated violence in New York City — including sexual abuse, assault, domestic violence, stalking, and trafficking — for incidents occurring on or before January 9, 2022.
Whether this window applies to you depends on the facts of what happened. A Queens sexual abuse attorney can review your circumstances and explain what paths remain open. See our Queens Sexual Abuse Lawyer page for more on how these cases work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Adult Survivors Act still active?
The Adult Survivors Act's lookback window closed permanently on November 24, 2023. No new lawsuits can be filed under its revival provision. The law remains on the books as CPLR § 214-j, but it no longer opens expired claims. Survivors in New York City may still have options under the GMVA lookback window, which runs through July 29, 2027.
What sexual offenses did the Adult Survivors Act cover?
The ASA covered any sexual offense under New York Penal Law Article 130. That includes forcible touching, sexual misconduct, rape in the first, second, and third degrees, criminal sexual act, and aggravated sexual abuse. It also covered incest under Penal Law §§ 255.26 and 255.27. The victim had to be 18 or older at the time of the offense.
Could you sue an institution under the Adult Survivors Act — not just the individual abuser?
Yes. The ASA allowed claims against any party whose negligence contributed to the abuse. That includes employers, schools, hospitals, religious institutions, hotels, and any organization that knew or should have known about the risk posed by the abuser. Institutional liability was a key feature of the law and drove many of the most prominent cases filed during the window.
How was the Adult Survivors Act different from the Child Victims Act?
The Child Victims Act (2019) covered abuse that happened when the victim was under 18. The Adult Survivors Act covered victims who were 18 or older at the time. The Child Victims Act also made lasting changes to the statute of limitations — CVA victims may sue until age 55. The ASA made no permanent change; it was a one-time window only.
What is CPLR § 214-j?
CPLR § 214-j is the New York statute that created the Adult Survivors Act. It sits in Article 2 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules, which governs time limits for civil lawsuits. The section title is "Certain sexual offense actions" and its full text is at nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/214-J.
Was there a new lookback window for sexual abuse victims in New York City in 2026?
Yes. The NYC Gender-Motivated Violence Act was amended in early 2026 (Law 2026/050, enacted January 29, 2026). This opened a new civil lookback window for gender-motivated violence — including sexual abuse — that occurred in New York City on or before January 9, 2022. The window runs through July 29, 2027. It is separate from the Adult Survivors Act.
Sources & Official Resources
New York Laws Cited
- CPLR § 214-j — Certain Sexual Offense Actions (Adult Survivors Act)
- NY Senate Bill S66A — Adult Survivors Act (Chapter 203 of 2022)
- New York Penal Law Article 130 — Sex Offenses
- New York Penal Law § 255.26 — Incest in the Second Degree
- CPLR § 213-c — Statute of limitations for certain sexual offenses
- CPLR § 214-g — Child Victims Act revival statute
NYC Laws Cited 7. NYC Courts: Child Sex Abuse Cases (Child Victims Act reference)
Official Resources 8. Governor Hochul's signing statement — Adult Survivors Act
Contact The Orlow Firm
If you or someone you love survived sexual abuse and want to know what legal options remain open — under the GMVA window, current New York law, or otherwise — The Orlow Firm can help you figure out where things stand.
The Orlow Firm has handled civil rights and abuse cases in Queens and throughout New York City for over 40 years. Steven S. Orlow (Founder), Brian Seth Orlow (Managing Partner), and Adam Moses Orlow (Senior Trial Partner) handle cases personally. Clients are not passed to junior associates.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. Se Habla Español.
Visit our Queens Sexual Abuse Lawyer page to learn more about how we handle sexual abuse civil cases and what the process looks like.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with The Orlow Firm.
