ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) -- The legal window for child victims to take action against their abusers in New York could be extended.

The State Legislature yesterday passed a bill that would extend the Child Victims Act to August 2021, a full year later than planned.

Last August, the measure opened a one-year period for survivors of sexual abuse to pursue previously time-barred claims against their alleged abusers.

Before courts shut down for about two months statewide during the COVID-19 pandemic, legislators pressed to extend the window for another year.

Because of delays in the legal system stemming from the current health crisis, Governor Cuomo announced he would move the lawsuit deadline to January.

According to the Albany Times Union, this new bill now awaits Cuomo signature in approval of the revised August 14, 2021 deadline.