Assemblyman Anil Beephan, Jr. (R,C-East Fishkill) is proud to confirm that after two long years of hard work, “Melanie’s Law” has passed in the New York State Assembly.

Melanie Chianese was a resident of Dutchess County who fell victim to a loophole in order of protection laws, as her mother’s ex-boyfriend — who was previously barred from visiting Melanie’s mother and her son — killed Melanie. Melanie was mourned within the community, and through the partnership of Beephan, Assemblyman Brian Cunningham, and Sens. Rob Rolison and Michelle Hinchey, a bill to close that loophole and provide equal orders of protection to all members of a family has been approved by both legislative bodies. The bill now makes its way to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk, where Beephan is optimistic it will be signed into law.

“This could not have happened without bipartisan support, which is why I want to thank my colleague in the Assembly, Assemblyman Cunningham, and my colleagues in the Senate, Senators Hinchey and Rolison, for their unwavering support and dedication to this important issue,” Beephan said.

“I want to thank Cheryl, Melanie’s mother, for sharing her story and bringing awareness to this issue. I feel incredibly honored to have been part of this body of advocates and legislators to enact real change that will protect people in the future. The best of government is people coming together to solve problems, and in Melanie’s memory, I was glad we could do that here,” Beephan concluded.