NYC Council Committee Advances Bill Restoring Gender-Based Violence Protections

NEW YORK, NY — A New York City Council committee approved legislation aimed at “restoring and clarifying legal protections” for survivors of gender-motivated violence, advancing a bill that was previously vetoed by Mayor Eric Adams.

The Committee on Women and Gender Equity voted 4–0 to approve Introduction 1297-A, sponsored by Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, which would create a civil cause of action for gender-motivated violence that occurred before Jan. 9, 2022.

The bill seeks to amend the city’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act by restoring an 18-month lookback window, allowing plaintiffs to file lawsuits for past abuse or harm that would otherwise be considered too old to sue over, and allowing institutions and employers that enable abuse to be held liable alongside individual perpetrators.

Council Member Amanda Farías, chair of the committee, criticized strict filing deadlines imposed after an appellate court ruling, saying they unfairly harmed survivors.

“These strict time limits effectively punish survivors,” Farías said.

The legislation was previously approved by the full City Council with 48 votes in favor before being vetoed by Adams on Christmas Eve, according to council members.

During the committee meeting, remarks from Brooks-Powers were read into the record. The council member was not present, but submitted a statement urging swift action on the bill.

“This legislation is about restoring clarity, strength and integrity to the Gender-Motivated Violence Act,” Brooks-Powers wrote in the statement. “Justice must be real, enforceable and accessible.”

She added that the bill corrects uncertainty introduced by the appellate ruling and the mayor’s veto, which she said left “survivors facing closed courthouse doors.”

The measure now moves to the full council for consideration.