LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Supporters of Alessandra’s Law are renewing their push for a statewide public database of repeat domestic violence offenders after the proposal fell short during the last legislative session.
The law is named after Alessandra Barlas, a 27-year-old California woman killed by her ex-boyfriend, Hugo Castro. Castro had previously served time in Nevada for attempting to kill another girlfriend in Washoe County.
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“She was headed out to celebrate getting into nursing school with her friends, never showed up because he stabbed her and strangled her,” said Rick Beatty, Alessandra’s father. “It was horrible.”
What the law would do
Assembly Bill 162, introduced last session, would create a statewide database listing repeat domestic violence offenders, with names posted for seven years. The bill failed due to a lack of funding to implement the database.
Opponents argued the database could make it harder for offenders to find jobs and housing after serving a sentence.
Family and advocates push forward
Beatty said he has carried his daughter’s memory with him for more than 10 years and views the database as one tool to prevent future tragedies.
“If it protects somebody, if you save one life, it’s worth it,” he said. “The government’s supposed to protect people.”
Liz Ortenburger, CEO of SafeNest, said Nevada frequently ranks among the most dangerous states for domestic violence homicides.
“Certainly Clark County is leading the way on that, as is the city of Las Vegas, anything that we can do to help people be safer is a plus,” Ortenburger said.
Beatty said he plans to continue pushing for the bill’s passage.
“I don’t want anybody else to go through what our family’s gone through,” he said.
What comes next
Castro was sentenced to life in prison. Former Assemblyman Toby Yurek, who sponsored AB 162, said he is working to find a legislator to carry Alessandra’s Law forward next session.
If passed, Nevada would become the third state to adopt a version of the law. Texas and Tennessee have already enacted similar legislation.
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