Expand Legal Options for Gender-Based Violence Survivors
Enacted on Jul 31, 2026Signed into law by the Mayor.
Signed into Law
Local Law 2026/050
✦ Plain-Language Summary
This law allows survivors of gender-motivated violence that happened before January 9, 2022 to sue their attackers in civil court, even if criminal charges were never filed. Survivors have 18 months from when this law takes effect to bring their claims. People who already filed similar lawsuits between March 2023 and March 2025 can also update their cases to include this new legal option.
Details
- Introduced
- May 28, 2025
- Passed Council
- Jan 29, 2026
- Enacted
- Jan 29, 2026
- Body
- Committee on Women and Gender Equity
- Type
- Introduction
- Status
- Enacted
Official Description
This bill would create a civil cause of action for crimes of violence motivated by gender that occurred prior to January 9, 2022. Any person claiming to be injured by a party who commits, directs, enables, participates in, or conspires in the commission of a crime of violence motivated by gender may bring a civil claim against that party. The claims brought under this law must commence within 18 months of the effective date of the local law. Any person who brought a claim between March 1, 2023 and March 1, 2025 that would satisfy the requirements of a cause of action under this section may amend or refile their claim to add a cause of action under this section.