Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C,I,Ref-Lockport) joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) and their colleagues at a press conference calling for enactment of Ramona’s Law (A.6663). Ramona’s Law would allow for a longer time period before a violent felon is considered for parole, and the bill is named after Ramona Bantle-Fahy who joined lawmakers at the press conference today to share her story.

“It is heartbreaking to hear Ramona’s story. But I admire Ramona for having the courage to share her story and for standing up to help protect other people from experiencing a similar act of violence,” said Norris, who has been a strong defender of legislation to protect women and children from violent crimes. “It is concerning today, as one party controls Albany, to see so many pieces of legislation moving through that are pro-criminal and make life easier for criminals. We are here today to say that this pro-criminal platform is not acceptable. Albany should be looking out for the best interests of the victims. They should be acting to prevent crime.”

In 1992, Bantle-Fahy survived a gruesome, violent sexual assault. Despite wanting to be able to move past her attack, Bantle-Fahy is prevented from doing so because every two years she must face her attacker at his parole hearings. Ramona’s Law would help give victims, survivors, and their loved ones a greater ability to live outside the shadow of these heinous crimes by extending that time period to five years for certain felony convictions, including murder in the first degree, aggravated murder, murder in the second degree, rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree and predatory sexual assault against a child.

Despite well documented research showing a high rate of recidivism among certain violent felons, the governor and both legislative majorities have been advancing measures to make it easier for criminals to be paroled, pardoning criminals (including repeat murderers and pedophiles), and are even considering legislation that would mandate parole once prisoners turn 55.

Norris deeply opposes these measures and hopes that lawmakers across the aisle will return to their senses after hearing Bantle-Fahy’s story and the many stories of so many New Yorkers who have chosen to fight for justice rather than shrink into the shadows of victimization. Meaningful public safety legislation like Ramona’s Law, Brittany’s Law (A.5889), Todd’s Law (A.3488), Clara’s Law (A.1123) and so many others should be passed this legislative session.