Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill — championed by a woman who accused Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting her — into law Tuesday increasing the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape in the state.
The bill, introduced by Democratic Assemblywoman Irene Bustamante Adams in March, provides that "sexual assault must be found, or an information or complaint filed, within 20 years after the commission of the offense."
Under existing law, the statute of limitations on prosecuting rape cases was within four years of the offense being committed.
Attorney Gloria Allred and her client, Lise-Lotte Lublin, had testified in support of the bill after several women who accused comedian Bill Cosby of sexual assault in Nevada were unable to press charges against him because of the statute of limitations, Allred said in a statement Tuesday.
@BustamanteAdams and @GovSandoval signing #AB212, extending statue of limitation for sexual assaults #nvleg #nhlc
In a statement, Gov. Brian Sandoval said it took a "tremendous amount of courage" for the victims to step forward and share their stories
"These types of crimes are intolerable and threaten our families and the framework of our communities," he said. "This legislation will help change the way our legal system responds to sexual assault and will give the men, women, and children who continue to suffer in silence more time to speak out, step away from abuse, and pursue legal recourse."
Lublin, 48, alleged that Cosby drugged and assaulted her in 1989 when she met him through her modeling agency. She said that she began to feel dizzy after Cosby offered her two drinks. According to Lublin, Cosby then began stroking her hair, after which she blacked out and woke up at home.
"Sexual assault is a crime that causes long-term damage," Lublin testified before lawmakers in March, KTVN reported. "Reporting the violation is extremely difficult to do and cannot be tethered to a time limit."
Lublin's husband, Benjamin Lublin, who said he was sexually assaulted as a child, also testified, saying, "There's no reason to allow a rapist or an assailant to get away with rape or sexual assault. And that's what the statute of limitations does."
Cosby cannot be retroactively charged for rape or sexual assault, KTVN reported. The new law will only apply to future rape and sexual assault cases.