Three populous and trend-setting states—New Jersey, New York and California—recently enacted new laws that provide a vast window of opportunity for complainants to bring otherwise time-barred claims of sexual assault, abuse or harassment.

New Jersey’s legislation, effective Dec. 1, extends broader rights to individuals seeking to bring claims of sexual assault, harassment or abuse against organizations. Complainants bringing such claims will now have a two-year window in which to file a complaint. Under the new law, victims of child sexual abuse may bring claims against individuals and public or private institutions until they reach age 55, or up to seven years after discovering the abuse. The New Jersey law also voids all private agreements that settle class claims of sexual abuse, requiring employers to address such claims individually.