Legislation to make it easier for abuse victims to seek criminal charges or file lawsuits against their abusers has once again passed the New York state Assembly.

The measure known as the Child Victims Act was endorsed by the Democrat-led Assembly on Tuesday. Prospects in the Republican-controlled state Senate, however, remain dim.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) voted in favor of the bill.

Current law gives victims until age 23 to file civil cases or seek criminal charges. Under the act, victims could file civil suits until age 50 and seek criminal charges until age 28. The bill would also create a one-year window allowing victims to file civil lawsuits for alleged abuse now barred by the existing statute of limitations.

The last provision is opposed by institutions including the Catholic Church, who say it could cause catastrophic financial harm.

(AP)