Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval made a huge change to the statute of limitations in his state that could benefit sexual assault victims. On Monday, Sandoval signed a bill that would extend the statute of limitations for bringing forward rape charges from four years to 20 years.
Assembly Bill 212 was spurred by the recent Bill Cosby sexual assault allegations. Lise-Lotte Lublin, a Nevada resident, alleged that Cosby drugged and raped her almost 20 years ago. The bill was sponsored in the Nevada State Assembly by Irene Bustamante Adams (D-Las Vegas), who joined Lublin and her attorney, Gloria Allred, during a press conference.
“I am furious and I have decided to fight for my rights and the rights of every man, woman and child who have been victims of a sexual crime,” Lublin said. “I have contacted every senator and assembly person from the state of Nevada, and I will continue to rally every victim of sexual assault, every rape crisis center and every supporter who believes in the right to have an offender tried in a court of law.”
Lublin attempted to file charges against Cosby in 2014 but was told the statute of limitations had expired. Although the bill was signed into law Monday, Lublin will still not be able to file new charges, but she sees the new law as a victory for other victims.