Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - 4/8/2025… Today, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) reintroduced the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act, a critical public safety bill in honor of the lives of Paula Bohovesky, a Rockland County native, and Joan D’Alessandro, who lived in Bergen County, New Jersey.

In 1973, Joan D’Alessandro was seven years old and had just left her house to sell Girl Scout cookies in her New Jersey hometown. Making only the mistake of knocking on a neighbor’s door, she was sexually assaulted, beaten, and strangled to death. Over two decades later in 1998, Congress passed legislation to prevent early release for criminals who killed a child under age 14.

Similar to Joan, Paula Bohovesky was 16 years old when she was beaten, stabbed, sexually assaulted, and murdered by two men in Rockland County, NY. But because Paula was 16 at the time of her death, one of the men responsible for her death was granted parole in August of 2021. 

This legislation modifies an existing ban on early release eligibility for criminals, specifying that those who murdered and sexually assaulted a minor up to the age of 18 are also included in this prohibition.

“The brutal murders of Joan D’Alessandro and Paula Bohovesky devastated Rockland County and the entire region,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17). “The unspeakable happened in our own backyard, and the impact of these tragedies still reverberates through our community.”

“With the reintroduction of the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act in the 119th Congress, I’m strengthening federal law to ensure families never have to face the trauma of watching their child’s killer walk free,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “This legislation honors the memory of Joan and Paula and seeks to bring some measure of justice to families across the country.”

“The most heinous crimes are those perpetrated against minors, and those who prey upon our children represent the worst in our society,” said NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) President Vincent Vallelong. “Unfortunately, a technicality in federal law prevents us from providing the full measure of justice to victims such as Paula Bohovesky and her family by ensuring that violent killers are kept in prison where they belong. The Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act enhances the protection of our nation’s children, and the SBA is grateful for the strong leadership of Rep. Lawler in continuing to fight for this important and long overdue fix to federal law.”

“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) strongly supports the Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act, as it delivers justice for victims of the most heinous crimes. Law enforcement is united in safeguarding our communities by ensuring that those who commit brutal acts against children are held fully accountable. We stand ready to support efforts to advance this critical bipartisan measure,” said Megan Noland, Executive Director of MCSA. 

“The Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Allesandro Act is a significant step in protecting our communities from the most heinous crimes against children. This important legislation spares victims' families from the emotional burden of facing repeated parole board hearings, allowing them to focus on healing without the added trauma of reliving their loss every few years. It is our moral duty to protect children and their families from dangerous offenders. We thank Congressman Lawler for introducing this bill, which takes a crucial step toward restoring a sense of safety and peace for those affected by such devastating crimes,” said Executive Director Theresa Roth of the New York State Children’s Alliance. 

“The current state statute under Joan's Law at the federal level applies to all children under 14 years old. This bill will extend justice to all minors under 18, including those at a particularly vulnerable age. This law must be passed to ensure justice for all children,” said Rosemarie D’Alessandro, mother of Joan and child safety advocate who also founded the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation. “When I first brought this to Congressman Lawler’s attention, he was ready to see it passed. It's heartwarming to see so many people support this legislation.”

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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Full text of the bill can be found HERE.