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Bill Named After Slain Hillsdale Girl Heads To Senate

HILLSDALE, N.J. — Rosemarie D'Alessandro of Hillsdale says she's finally made it.

Rosemarie D’Alessandro testifies in support of updates to “Joan’s Law."

Rosemarie D’Alessandro testifies in support of updates to “Joan’s Law."

Photo Credit: SenateNJ.com

The state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to advance Bill S607 -- modifying what is known as "Joan's Law" — now headed to the Senate.

The Assembly already unanimously approved it on Feb. 15.

The move happened nearly seven years after D'Alessandro set out to change the New Jersey child-rape statute named in memory of her 7-year-old daughter, Joan, who was kidnapped, raped and murdered by a neighbor while selling Girl Scout Cookies in 1973.

The bill bars parole ever for anyone who murders someone under 18 in the commission of a sex crime. The victim's age in the current law is 14.

With the Legislature's expected full blessing, the measure would go to Gov. Christie to be signed into law. 

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