Suffolk Reporter

Albany, NY - A press conference held on the Million Dollar Staircase on June 7, 2023, shed light on "Gabby’s Law," a bill proposed by Assemblyman Ed Flood and Sen. Anthony Palumbo. This legislation aims to address the gap in current alert systems by introducing a Teal Alert specifically for missing adults aged 18-64, including victims of domestic violence who are believed to be in danger.

The motivation behind Gabby's Law stems from the tragic case of Long Island native Gabby Petito, whose disappearance and subsequent homicide highlighted the need for improved measures to locate missing adults efficiently. DeStefano, a vocal advocate for the bill, emphasized the importance of implementing Teal Alerts into the national alert system to enhance the chances of finding and bringing home overlooked missing adults.

"The infrastructure and the tools to implement Teal Alerts are already available," DeStefano stated. "As a parent myself, to question whether this nonpartisan bill should be passed is absurd. We’re here in Albany to help New Yorkers, and this is one way we can make a difference. This type of alert system should already be in place, let’s not waste any more time in making sure we’re doing our best to protect vulnerable New Yorkers."

With the potential to significantly impact the search and rescue efforts for missing adults, Gabby's Law stands as a crucial step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals who might otherwise be overlooked in existing alert systems.