Editor’s Note: Click here to view Assemblyman Morinello’s interview.

Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I-Ref-Niagara Falls) joined Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Joseph M. Gigilio (R,C,I-Gowanda) and other members of the Assembly Minority Conference at a press conference to introduce a bill known as Ramona’s Law, that would extend the period between parole hearings from two to five years for criminals who commit especially heinous crimes.

In 1992, Ramona Bantle-Fahy survived a violent sexual assault. She’s now forced to face her attacker every 24 months to testify against him in parole hearings to ensure he stays in prison. Ramona’s Law would eliminate this two-year requirement and expand it to five years.

This legislation covers the following serious, violent crimes:

• Murder in the First Degree
• Aggravated Murder
• Murder in the Second Degree
• Sodomy in the First Degree
• Rape in the First Degree
• Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child

“I’m pleased our conference is stepping up to help victims and to strengthen penalties for criminals who have committed such horrible atrocities,” said Morinello. “Each day, victims battle the demons left behind by their attackers, and we can’t expect them to relive their tragedy in court every 24 months. This bill will help alleviate the pain felt by victims across the state by extending the period of parole hearings to five years. I’d like to thank Leader Kolb and Assemblyman Gigilio for their efforts and encourage the Legislature to pass this bill into law.”