Assemblyman Ed Ra (R,C,I-Franklin Square) and his Assembly Minority colleagues today unveiled Ramona’s Law, a victim’s rights bill that would extend the maximum allowable time between parole hearings for inmates who commit heinous violent crimes.

The legislation’s namesake, Ramona Bantle-Fahy, was on hand to share her story and explain why the legislation represents a common-sense, compassionate step toward easing the suffering of New Yorkers who are currently forced to relive the most harrowing experience of their lives on a near-perpetual loop.

“Mandating parole hearings every 24 months means that survivors and their families are frozen in a near-perpetual state of trauma. Preparing for a parole hearing is time consuming and labor intensive, both emotionally and logistically. The way we’re doing it now is senseless and cruel,” said Ra.

Ra said the legislation would push the maximum-allowable time frame back to 60 months for the following crimes:

• 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

“It’s important to note that, for our colleagues across the aisle, this does nothing to make it more difficult for low-level offenders to get out of the system and become re-integrated into society. This is not an impediment to criminal justice reform. This is criminal justice reform. Treating victims of the most unspeakable crimes with compassion is the essence of fairness,” said Ra.

“I want to thank Ramona for her courage and willingness to advocate for other survivors,” concluded Ra.