Today, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) joined members of the Assembly Minority Conference to introduce their “Restore Order” legislative package, which is aimed at addressing the surge of violence that has been seen in neighborhoods across New York state. Family members of crime victims, law enforcement officials and district attorneys joined the press conference to share their experiences and frustrations.

“The rise of crime across our state is clearly attributed to lax bail reform and parole measures that put criminals above law-abiding New Yorkers. Mothers, like Lois Bohovesky and Madeline Brame, should never have to fear that their child’s murderers could be released from prison and be filled with anxiety if they become eligible for parole. However, this is unfortunately the reality they face every day as they see a wide range of pro-criminal measures becoming law in New York State,” said Walsh.

“Parents shouldn’t have to live in fear every time their child opens the door to leave their homes. The level of violence we’ve seen in neighborhoods right here in the Capital Region, short distances from the State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, and across our state is beyond alarming. Far too many of these new laws have been hastily implemented without any input from police, judges or district attorney’s and the unintended consequences have severely impacted countless New Yorkers as crime rates continue to skyrocket. It is critical that the voices of the experienced professionals and victims are heard and that we take action to restore order back into our state.”

The legislative package highlighted in today’s event hosted by the Assembly Minority Conference included the following bills:

• Restore Judicial Discretion (A.5265, Reilly) – Restores judicial discretion to allow judges the ability to determine whether a violent criminal poses a dangerous threat to the community and can be held without bail. 

• Bail for Gun Crimes (A.7066, Barclay) – Removes all gun crimes from the no-bail list of offenses Democrats established in 2019. 

• Parole Reform (A.5737, Barclay) – Requires a unanimous vote of at least three Parole commissioners to grant a prisoner early release. Also allows a majority vote of the Legislature to remove a commissioner from the Parole Board. 

• Paula’s Law (A.6017, Lawler) – Prevents the parole of anyone who sexually assaults and murders a child under 18 years of age. 

• Three Strikes & You’re In (A.5334, Brabenec) – Authorizes life in prison without parole for persistent violent felony offenders. 

• Shooting into Crowds (A.4259, Jensen) – Makes it a Class B violent felony to fire into a crowded space with the intent to harm. 

• Additional 5 Years for Possession (A.4762, Mikulin) – Provide for an additional 5-year term of imprisonment for committing a felony while possessing a loaded firearm. 

• Bail for Hate Crimes (A.3986, M. Miller) – Makes a “hate crime” a qualified offense for purposes of bail issuance and denying pre-trial.