New York State Assembly

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) issued the following statement on today's passage of "Brittany's Law" in the state Senate. The law would create a registry of domestic violence offenders, similar to the registry of violent sex offenders established under "Megan's Law." Despite passing the Senate seven times by overwhelming margins, Brittany's Law has never reached the floor of the Assembly for a vote.

"The Senate took action today to pass Brittany's Law, which will save lives, prevent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. The question is once again - what is the Assembly Majority waiting for?

New York City has a registry of individuals who have abused animals. But members of the Assembly Majority from New York City have refused to establish a registry of violent offenders who have abused women and children. The Assembly Majority's continued inaction insults every victim of domestic abuse.

This week, the Legislature received a to-do list of issues from the governor - curbing domestic violence wasn't on it. I applaud the members of the Senate for passing Brittany's Law again and urge my colleagues in the Assembly to do the same in the remaining days of the legislative session."

Brittany's Law is named after Brittany Passalacqua, a 12-year-old girl who was murdered in 2009 along with her mother, Helen Buchel, in Geneva. The victims were killed by John Edward Brown, who was on parole after serving time in prison for violently assaulting his infant daughter in 2003. Ms. Buchel was unaware of Brown's violent history. A registry of domestic violence offenders could have prevented this crime.