ALBANY, N.Y. - The Latest on the New York state Legislature's expected passage of legislation extending the statute of limitations on child molestation (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

New York is poised to relax the statute of limitations for child molestation to give victims more time to file lawsuits or seek criminal charges.

The legislation, known as the Child Victims Act, passed the Democrat-controlled Senate and Assembly on Monday. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo intends to sign the bill into law.

The act would extend the statute of limitations going forward and create a one-year window for civil suits now barred by the statute of limitations.

Abuse survivors have long pushed for the bill, which was blocked for years by Senate Republicans. Democrats vowed to pass the measure quickly after they won a Senate majority last fall.

The Catholic Church dropped its long opposition to the act after it was revised to treat public and private schools the same.

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10:30 a.m.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says a measure expected to pass the New York state Legislature will offer justice to child molestation victims who have suffered what he calls a "horrendous violation in life."

The Democrat spoke Monday at the state capitol while flanked by eight victims of child molestation who are in Albany for the expected passage of the Child Victims Act.

The measure before the Senate and Assembly would give victims more time to seek criminal charges or sue their abusers. It would also create a one-year window for victims to file lawsuits now barred by the statute of limitations.

Cuomo says he could sign the legislation into law at a separate gathering of victims to be held on another day or sign it right after its expected passage later on Monday.

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6 a.m.

A bill extending the statute of limitations on child molestation to give victims more time to seek justice is expected to easily pass the New York Legislature.

The Senate and Assembly plan to vote Monday on the Child Victims Act, which would give victims more time to seek criminal charges or sue their abusers. It would also create a one-year window for victims to file lawsuits now barred by the statute of limitations.

The bill has passed the Assembly before but was blocked by Senate Republicans. Democrats now control the Senate and say passing the act is a top priority.

The Catholic Church had been a major opponent to the bill but dropped its opposition last week after the legislation was rewritten to treat public and private schools the same.

News from © The Associated Press, 2019