Melanie’s Law signed two years after Wappinger woman stabbed to death: What does it mean?

No parent ever wants to outlive their child. Cheryl Chianese-Cavalli has lived this truth since her 29-year-old daughter. Melanie ChianeseHe was killed in 2022.

Chianese-Cavalli’s ex-boyfriend Paul SenecalHe was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing Chianese to death in his Wappinger home.

At the time of Chianese’s death, Senecal was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in another case. Chianese-Cavalli had obtained an order of protection for him and Melanie’s son, who is now 4, but was unable to do the same for Melanie.

On Monday, the day after Melanie’s 32nd birthday and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law at the Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie. This is called Melanie’s Law.

More: Wappinger stabbed: Services arranged for Melanie Chianese, a mother whose ‘son was her universe’

Melanie’s Law fixes a loophole in the system

Melanie’s Law would expand protection orders to relatives of victims of domestic violence, addressing a gap in the system and strengthening public safety, especially for those who feel the ripple effects of this abuse.

Previous laws in New York allowed only unrelated children under 18 to be included in an adult family member’s protection order. This protection was not available to Melanie Chianese at the time of her death because she was over 18 years of age.

The signed law adopted in criminal and family court in domestic violence cases recognizes that domestic violence affects not only the person in a relationship with the abuser, but also other people in the family or household.

All family and household members covered by this law will be provided with the same process in court, including the ability to obtain a protective order. Melanie’s Law would also allow families and households to file family offense petitions in Family Court.

“Today, we take a huge step forward to help survivors of domestic violence,” Chianese-Cavalli said Monday at the Family Partnership Center. he said. “Melanie’s Law will save lives, and her legacy will live on in our hearts forever.”

Dutch mother turned her ‘grief into activism’

Family Services LLC said it has been with Chianese-Cavalli “from day one of this journey.”

“I remember my first phone call to the 24-hour hotline and I found an attorney,” he said, “and the attorney worked with me every step of the way.”

Chianese-Cavalli found the strength to turn her “grief into activism,” Hochul said.

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New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey applauded the work of lawmakers who came together to see Melanie’s Law become a reality.

“Melanie’s Law is not just a piece of legislation, it is a promise that her life and memory will be a beacon of hope for countless families who will now use Melanie’s Law to seek safety,” Hinchey said.

This article first appeared in the Poughkeepsie Journal: Melanie’s Law expands protection against domestic violence in New York