Politics & Government

DeCroce Foresees Success For Crime Victims' Bill

New Assemblywoman says she stands for crime victims because the issue has touched her personally.

BettyLou DeCroce is already making a name for herself in the state General Assembly. Just weeks after being sworn in to the Assembly to fill her late husband's 26th District seat, the Parsippany resident is now listed as a prime sponsor of a .

Even more special for the new lawmaker, the measure is called "Alex DeCroce's Law" in honor of her spouse, who , just after the end of the last legislative session.

DeCroce said that the bill marked A-2380 is not her first sponsorship.

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"I did approve to go on all the pieces of legislation that Alex had sitting out there prior to him dying," she said. "For this particular piece, I asked and a letter was sent to the original sponsor to allow me to go as a prime sponsor. I could say this is the first bill I am actually a prime sponsor."

The measure, whose other prime sponsors are Republicans Bob Schroeder and Holly Schepisi of the 39th District, cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday, winning approval from the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.

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DeCroce said the bill holds particular significance for her.

Standing up for crime victims is an issue that "for Alex and I has always been very important and close to our hearts," she said. "Rich Pompelio was my town attorney when his son was murdered [in 1992]. When he formed the New Jersey Crime Victims' Law Center I became a trustee and served until I went to the [state] Department of Community Affairs. I stepped down to avoid any conflict of interest because of funding."

The VLC offers pro bono legal representation for victims of crime.

Also close to her heart was her husband's commitment to the cause. Alex DeCroce sponsored the Victims’ Rights Amendment to the state constitution, which was approved by voters in 1991.

But the Assemblywoman said her own life has been touched by crime.

"My cousin was murdered in New York State on Christmas Eve in 1997," she recalled. "He was home, decorating his Christmas tree and his doorbell rang... Anyway, this issue goes pretty deep for Alex and I."

Under the legislation, among a list of new protections, victims would receive notification about progress in their cases (including court schedule changes), protection from harassment by defendants and guaranteed compensation for crime-related injuries.

DeCroce said the measure will give strong support to the Victims' Rights Amendment that has been long needed.

"The Crime Victims Bill of Rights statute, which is kind of the blueprint for the Victims' Rights Amendment, has been in need of revision for years, and that's what this bill would do," she explained. "I know Rich and Alex had been working on it for three years to get it to this point."

DeCroce said winning committee passage "is a major accomplishment." 

"It's an honor for them to name it for Alex, which I think is absolutely appropriate," she said.

DeCroce said she is pleased to see that the measure is attracting bipartisan support.

"That goes along with what I said at my swearing-in about everyone working together for New Jersey," she said. "That certainly was important to my husband, and it is important to me too. It's the only way to accomplish something for the people. And this bill proves you can do great things if you're willing to put aside party affiliation to do what's right for the people.

"Regardless of party, I want to serve all of the people in the 26th District."

DeCroce said she is confident about Alex DeCroce's Law's chances.

"I think it has a very good chance of passage," she said. "And I already have my statement prepared for when it happens."


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