A bill that would extend the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse crimes in Tennessee is headed to the governor's desk.

The Tennessee General Assembly passed the legislation Thursday, the final day of this year's legislative session. It is expected to become law since Gov. Bill Lee said Thursday evening during a news conference that he has no plans to veto any bills that made it out of the state legislature.

Criminally, the changes to the statute of limitations include, among others:

The statute of limitations is eliminated if the victim is under 13 years of age at the time of the offense.

The statute of limitations is eliminated if the victim is between the ages of 13 and 17 at the time of the offense and reports the abuse within five years of turning 18.

If the 13- to 17-year-old victim does not report the abuse within five years of turning 18, the statute of limitations is extended to 25 years after they turn 18 years old. If the 25-year deadline passes, the prosecution must produce "admissible and credible evidence."

MCNALLY'S EFFORTS:Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally backs efforts to remove statute of limitations for child sex abuse

ADVOCATES SEEK CHANGE:Former child abuse victims, advocates push Tennessee to end its expiration date for seeking justice

The legislation also stiffens the penalties for those who intentionally fail to report them.

On the civil side, the legislation would extend the statute of limitations to 15 years after the victim turns 18.

The bill also would require admissible and credible evidence for civil actions filed against someone other than the accused if it is brought more than one year after the victim turns 18.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, who was a big supporter of the bill, praised lawmakers in both the House and Senate who helped pass the bill for "standing for victims" in a Thursday tweet.

But that acclaim was proceeded by an earlier tweet critical of the House as both chambers were trying to square their different versions of the bill.

"A few members of the @TNHouseReps are trying to weaken a bill to remove the statute of limitations on child sex abuse. They want to remove serious sexual offenders from the bill and make it harder for victims to get justice. @tnsenate will stand firm behind victims," McNally tweeted.

It was a rare move for the leader of the Senate to weigh in on social media to urge the House to take action.

Eventually, the bill passed.

It was welcome news for others who pushed for the legislation, which comes as big institutions across the U.S., like the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church, face their own child sexual abuse crises.

The passage of the bill was praised by Bob Benning, who is a part of a group of parishioners at his Catholic church in Oak Ridge advocating for the state laws to change. McNally attends their church, too.

"Passage of this bill means that there are more opportunities for justice for the victims of child sexual abuse in Tennessee. This was clearly our goal," Benning said in an email.

HOUSE ACTION:Bill to extend statute of limitations for child sex crimes advances in state House

EARLY EFFORTS:New bills would extend or eliminate statute of limitations for child sex crimes in Tennessee

Joel Ebert contributed to this story.

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.