Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation extending New York's statute of limitations to 20 years for a second degree rape charge...and to ten years for third degree rape.
The law also eliminates the statue of limitations entirely for first degree incest, and it gives victims up to 20 years to bring a civil suit against an offender. Prior to the new law, they had only five years to file suit.
The governor and officials of several women's advocacy groups said this will provide victims a greater opportunity to seek justice.