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Albany must pass domestic abuse bill

I applaud TimesLedger Newspapers for highlighting an important bill sponsored by state Sens. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), Marty Golden (R-Brooklyn) and Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) after the recent murder of a woman allegedly by her stalker despite having an order of protection against him.

Padavan’s bill would require jail time for individuals who violate an order of protection more than once and require convicted stalkers to wear electronic bracelets with GPS capability.

Several years ago, Community Board 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece and I were panelists at a domestic violence forum sponsored by Temple Beth Shalom during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I was invited because, as a state committeeman, I had participated in legislative task forces and advocated in editorials and to our elected officials to strengthen court orders of protection so victims would be encouraged to seek them and be afforded greater security.

Iannece and I agreed such a bill was needed that would pass constitutional muster. This legislation is long overdue and Padavan, who has been fighting to pass this and similar pieces of legislation to protect women and other victims of domestic violence, as well as the TimesLedger editorial board, should be recognized for their leadership on this issue.

This issue must not be gridlocked by Albany partisanship. I urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support strengthening penalties for recidivist abusers and implement this much-needed legislation.

Vince Tabone

Candidate

State Assembly

Bayside