LANSING, MI - Childhood victims of sexual assault will get more time to file criminal and civil lawsuits under a pair of Nassar-inspired bills Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signed Tuesday.

Senate Bills 871 and 872, now Public Acts 180 and 181 of 2018, extend the civil and criminal statutes of limitations, giving sexual assault victims more time to report and sue their accusers.

"This is bringing Michigan closer to where we need to be, but we have much work left to be done. Michigan still ranks as one of the most restrictive states, even with this legislative reform... for giving survivors access to the justice system," said Rachael Denhollander, who has advocated for change in the legislature.

Senate Bill 871 extends the statute of limitations for criminal sexual assault cases where the victim is a minor. Currently somebody can be charged with criminal sexual conduct in cases without DNA evidence 10 years after the crime was committed or by the victim's 21st birthday, whichever is later. For both second- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct when the victims is a child charges would need to be filed within 15 years after the offense is committed or by the alleged victim's 28th birthday, whichever is later.

Senate Bill 872 extends the statute of limitations for civil criminal sexual assault lawsuits. Currently the standard is three years after most criminal offenses, with some variance based on the offense. Under the bill all victims of criminal sexual assault will have 10 years to file suit to claim damages. Childhood sexual assault victims can file civil suits until they are 28 years old or until three years after the individual discovers his or her injury and its relationship to criminal sexual conduct.

A portion of the bill is retroactive, but narrowly tailored to apply to victims of ex-Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar. Only sexual assault victims who had been sexually abused by now-convicted physicians under the guise of medical treatment would be eligible to sue for offenses dating back to 1997.

Calley signed both bills on Tuesday.

Denhollander said Nassar's victims had repeatedly told the legislature that they didn't want carve-outs for themselves, they wanted to be voices for all sexual assault victims. House amendments that tailor portions of the bills toward them ignored that request, she said.

"I am deeply disappointed that certain members of the House chose to do precisely what we asked them not to do. Because this legislative reform was for every survivor in Michigan. This was not about us and we never wanted it to be about us," Denhollander said.

She said she hoped this would be a first step and the legislature would make other changes, including further ones to the statute of limitations and expanding mandatory reporters to include paid coaches.

Sen. Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage, led the charge on the whole package in the Senate and sponsored one of the bills. She said they didn't go as far as she should have, but it's an improvement over Michigan's current law.

"The significance is Michigan is saying we're not home to pedophiles or predators and it shows that we're serious about protecting our children. So, this is just a first step and there's more work to do," O'Brien said on Tuesday afternoon.

Calley, who signed the legislation, thanked the survivors for having the courage to force the political system to listen on this issue.

"I'm excited and pleased about the changes in law. But I'm more excited about the change in culture that we see starting, the wider discussion and really creating a safer environment for all people," Calley said.

He wants further changes, including expanding mandatory reporters to include paid coaches even if it costs the state money for additional Department of Health and Human Services workers to investigate an increased number of claims. He said mandatory reporting would stop predators sooner.

"I would argue that assigning short-term costs misses the point that this avoids a lot of long-term costs, both financially and the toll it takes on individuals," Calley said.

Under the constitution, the lieutenant governor is empowered to sign bills when the governor is out of the state. A spokesperson for Gov. Rick Snyder said he was in Latvia for the 25th anniversary of the state's collaboration with the country on a security cooperation program.

The new laws take effect 90 days from the date they were signed.

A larger package of Nassar-inspired bills addressing things like mandatory reporters, medical record-keeping and enhanced criminal charges for child pornography are still pending in the state Senate.