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Media Advisory: Weinberg To Hold News Conference Announcing Missing Persons’ Legislation Thursday

Loretta Weinberg News & Releases

BOGOTA – Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 19 in Bogota to discuss recently-introduced legislation regarding missing persons in New Jersey.

Senator Weinberg’s bill, S-2255, known as “Patricia’s Law” would work to help law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons, to enhance the current system of notifying families of missing persons, and if necessary, the measure would work to improve the identification of human remains.

The legislation would reflect model missing persons legislation proposed by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, a federally funded-resource center created to support research, legislation and program development for criminal justice.

The measure is named for Patricia Viola, who disappeared from her kitchen in 2001.

WHO:Senator Loretta Weinberg and Jim Viola (husband of Patrica)

WHEN: 11 A.M. on Thursday, October 19, 2006

WHERE: The Viola home, 70 Chestnut Ave., Bogota

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Weinberg’s ‘Patricia’s Law’ Clears Senate

TRENTON – A measure known as “Patricia’s Law” and sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg to help law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons to their families was unanimously approved today by the full Senate.

The legislation is named for Patricia Viola, a Bogota woman who disappeared from her kitchen in 2001 and has never returned. Patricia relies on medication to control her epilepsy. Patricia’s husband Jim has led the fight for this legislation, said Senator Weinberg.

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Weinberg: We Owe It To Families To Do Everything We Can To Help Find Their Missing Loved Ones

BOGOTA – Senator Loretta Weinberg today joined with Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Jim Viola, husband of missing person Patricia Viola, to discuss “Patricia’s Law”, recently introduced legislation aimed at helping law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons to their families. The news conference was held at the Viola home in Bogota.

The measure is named for Patricia Viola, who disappeared from her kitchen in 2001.

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Weinberg’s ‘Patricia’s Law’ Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg which would help law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons to their families received unanimous final legislative approval today from the full Assembly.

The legislation is named for Patricia Viola, a Bogota woman who disappeared from her kitchen in 2001 and has never returned. Patricia relies on medication to control her epilepsy, which makes her case of higher risk. Patricia’s husband Jim has led the fight for this legislation, said Senator Weinberg.

“When a loved one goes missing, those who love and care for them immediately go into panic mode, and their worries do not subside until that missing person is found,” said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. “By establishing real guidelines for law enforcement to follow when searching for missing people, this legislation gives hope to their families that police are doing everything in their power to help safely locate and return their missing loved ones.”

07 Jan 2008
Weinberg’s ‘Patricia’s Law’ Clears Senate Law & Public Safety And Veterans’ Affairs Committee

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg known as “Patricia’s Law,” which would work to help law enforcement personnel locate and safely return missing persons to their families was unanimously approved today by the Senate Law & Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

The legislation is named for Patricia Viola, a Bogota woman who disappeared from her kitchen in 2001. The case is considered high risk because Patricia takes medication to control her epilepsy. Patricia’s husband, Jim Viola, was present at today’s meeting, and he testified before the committee.

26 Feb 2007