Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY-19) announced on Sunday at Carnwath Farm in Wappinger that he will introduce legislation at the federal level modeled on New York's Melanie's Law, which expands eligibility for protective orders in domestic violence cases. The announcement came before more than 100 attendees and marks an effort to address gaps in domestic violence protections across the country.
The law is named for Melanie Chianese of Wappingers Falls, who was killed in 2022 at age 29 by Paul Senecal, the ex-boyfriend of her mother. At the time, New York state law did not permit family members to obtain protective orders unless they were directly involved in the relationship with the abuser. Senecal had previously violated orders of protection obtained by both Chianese's mother and son before fatally attacking Melanie, who was unable to secure an order under the law as it then stood.
The legislation was originally introduced at the state level by Republican then-Senator Sue Serino and later advanced by Senator Michelle Hinchey (D, Saugerties) and Assemblyman AJ Beephan (R, East Fishkill). Governor Kathy Hochul signed it into law in 2024. Prior to its passage, protective orders in New York were limited to domestic violence victims, minors in their care, and others deemed eligible by a judge. Melanie's Law expanded family court jurisdiction to allow relatives of domestic violence victims to request protection orders, closing what advocates described as dangerous gaps in the law.
Hochul signed the law in Poughkeepsie, stating at the time that its passage represented a commitment to protecting all New Yorkers from domestic violence. Ryan framed the federal proposal as a response to a national problem. "More than one in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime – and for too long, an oversight in federal law has left their families vulnerable," he said, crediting Melanie's case and her mother's advocacy for spurring action at the state level and now at the federal level.
Cheryl Chianese, Melanie's mother, said she was moved by the expansion of her daughter's legacy to the national stage. "This legislation is essential to make sure no family is left vulnerable and unprotected," she told Mid-Hudson News. "Melanie's Law will close the gap by extending orders of protection to immediate family members of domestic violence victims, regardless of age."
Paul Senecal was sentenced to life in prison in April 2023 by Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin.
