(Albany, NY)-Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) is pleased to announce that his bill, S,1677, which would protect individuals in the workplace, has passed the Senate. The bill, named “Joanne’s Law”, was created in response to a terrible tragedy from 2005 where an employee of a company who had been fired and later sentenced to 10 years probation returned to the office of his former employer and shot three managers.  One of the victims was Joanne O’Brien of Greenwood Lake, who later died of her injuries, and for whom the law is named. 

 This legislation will require that employers or workplaces be notified when former employees or visitors whom were convicted of crimes that were committed in those workplaces are released from incarceration or violate their probation or parole.

“This law will hopefully prevent a repeat of this tragedy.  If the employer had been notified, it would have enabled him to take the proper measures or precautions to protect himself and his employees,” said Senator Bonacic. “My hope is that the Assembly will act quickly to pass this bill, and send it to the Governor’s desk, which would bring much needed piece of mind to New Yorkers.”

The bill will be sent to the Assembly.