STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1253

with Assembly Floor Amendments

(Proposed By Assemblyman Azzolina)

ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 8, 1996

      As originally introduced, A-1253(1R) had eliminated the statute of limitations for sexual assault, allowing a prosecution for this crime to be commenced at any time. As amended in committee, this provision was substantially modified to provide that prosecutions must be commenced within five years after the crime or within two years of the discovery of the identity of the offender, whichever is later.

      These amendments would restore the bill to its original form, as introduced: the statute of limitations for the crime of sexual assault would be eliminated, and prosecution could be commenced at any time.

      In addition, these amendments clarify the effective date of the bill, providing that the elimination of the statute of limitations will apply to all offenses not yet barred by the statute of limitations from prosecution as of the effective date.