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	Statute of Limitations Bill Appears Dead in New York Assembly The Georgia Bulletin June 24, 2009 http://www.georgiabulletin.org/world/2009/06/23/US-2/ ALBANY, N.Y. (CNS) -- Even after it was amended to include all public institutions, a bill that would have extended the statute of limitations for lawsuits related to the sexual abuse of a minor was "inherently bad public policy," said the executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference. Richard E. Barnes spoke June 23, hours after the state Assembly adjourned without voting on a bill that would have given people who claim they were sexually abused as children a one-year exemption from the statute of limitations. Currently alleged victims must file suit within five years after they turn 18. Barnes said in a statement that members of the state Assembly "looked very closely at this very controversial bill" sponsored by Assembly Member Margaret Markey "and gave it the thoughtful consideration it deserved." He added, "In the end, it appears that a majority of the members realized it was not the right approach to dealing with the very serious issue of child sexual abuse." The bill passed the state Assembly in each of the last three years but failed to get approval in the Senate. The legislation could only be revived this year if a special session of the Assembly is called.
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