Establishes the toxic victim justice act to extend the time frame to commence an action for certain victims who were exposed to a toxic substance; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michelle Hinchey

Extends the time limit for toxic exposure victims to file civil lawsuits, repealing current limits and expanding access to justice for those harmed.

COMMITTED TO RULES

Quick facts

Bill number: S 7333

Title: Establishes the Toxic Victim Justice Act to extend the time frame to commence an action for certain victims who were exposed to a toxic substance; repealer

Sponsor: Senator Michelle Hinchey (primary)

Status: REFERRED TO JUDICIARY (as of 2025-04-10)

Introduced: April 10, 2025

Related bill: A 8046 (companion) — House version

Purpose and intent

The bill aims to create a legal framework, titled the Toxic Victim Justice Act, that would extend the period in which certain victims of toxic exposure can commence a civil action.

The inclusion of a repealer suggests the bill would also repeal an existing statute or provision related to the current time limits for filing such actions, though the specific repealed provision is not shown in the information provided.

Key provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title)

Establishment of a new statutory framework to accommodate “toxic victims”—individuals who were exposed to a toxic substance.

Extension of the statute of limitations (the deadline to file a civil lawsuit) for qualifying victims.

Inclusion of a repealer (the bill would remove or modify an existing provision related to the prior time limits or procedures).

Note: The exact scope, eligibility criteria, definitions of “toxic victim,” and the precise extension mechanism (e.g., discovery rule, tolling, retroactive window, or a fixed new deadline) are not provided in the available summary. The full text would specify these details.

Who would be affected

Potential plaintiffs who allege harm from exposure to a toxic substance and who would benefit from a longer period to file a civil action.

Potential defendants could include manufacturers, employers, or other entities responsible for or connected to the toxic exposure.

Courts and the judiciary would handle the administration of any new time frames and associated procedures.

Insurance, settlement, and tort-related industries could experience changes in filing dynamics and settlement timing.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Current status indicates the bill has been referred to the Judiciary committee, with no additional actions listed yet (as of the provided date).

If advanced, the bill would follow the normal legislative process: committee hearings, potential amendments, floor consideration, and votes in the relevant chamber, followed by actions in the companion House bill (A 8046).

Additional notes

A companion bill exists in the Assembly (A 8046), which often indicates aligned intent across chambers.

Details such as effective dates, retroactivity, and specific eligibility are not included here and would be defined in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal notes or committee statements.

This summary provides a high-level understanding based on the bill’s title and status. The exact provisions will be clarified in the full legislative text and amendments as the bill progresses.

Bill