WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17) has reintroduced a bill in Congress aimed at closing a gap in federal law that allows certain convicted child murderers to become eligible for parole.
The proposed legislation—The Paula Bohovesky and Joan D’Alessandro Act—would expand an existing federal statute that currently bars early release for those who murder and sexually assault children under the age of 14. Lawler’s bill would raise the age threshold to include all minors under 18.
The measure is named in honor of two young victims whose killings shocked their communities and galvanized public safety advocates.
In 1973, 7-year-old Joan D’Alessandro of Hillsdale, N.J., was sexually assaulted and murdered after knocking on a neighbor’s door while selling Girl Scout cookies. Her killer, Joseph McGowan, was sentenced to life in prison. In 1998, legislation known as Joan’s Law was signed at the federal level to prevent early release in such cases—but it applied only to victims under 14.
In 1980, 16-year-old Paula Bohovesky of Pearl River, N.Y., was beaten, stabbed, sexually assaulted, and murdered by two men. One of her killers was granted parole in 2021.
“The brutal murders of Joan D’Alessandro and Paula Bohovesky devastated Rockland County and the entire region,” said Lawler. “With the reintroduction of this act, I’m strengthening federal law to ensure families never have to face the trauma of watching their child’s killer walk free.”
Rosemarie D’Alessandro, Joan’s mother and founder of the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation, has been a leading advocate for expanding protections to all minors. “The current federal statute applies only to children under 14,” she said. “This bill will extend justice to all minors under 18, including those at a particularly vulnerable age.”
D’Alessandro added, “When I first brought this to Congressman Lawler’s attention, he was ready to see it passed. It’s heartwarming to see so many people support this legislation.”
The bill has drawn support from a range of law enforcement and advocacy groups, including the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, and the New York State Children’s Alliance.
Vincent Vallelong, president of the SBA, said the law would correct a technicality that has denied justice to some victims and families. “Those who prey upon our children represent the worst in our society,” he said.
Megan Noland, executive director of the Major County Sheriffs of America, said law enforcement supports the measure as “a critical bipartisan step” toward justice. Theresa Roth, executive director of the New York State Children’s Alliance, called it “a significant step in protecting our communities” and praised the bill for sparing families from the anguish of repeated parole hearings.
For more information, visit lawler.house.gov or joansjoy.org, the Joan Angela D’Alessandro Memorial Foundation.