For many years, Jane Maharam climbed countless steps to Congress.

On January 12, 2024 Representative Anthony D'Esposito (NY-04) and Jim Costa (CA-21) introduced the bi-partisan legislation: Jane's Law: HR 6988 into the 118th Congress: along with initial co-sponsors Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-7), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Linda Sanchez (CA-38) and Andre Carson (IN-7) and immediately followed by Rep Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) with more to sign on...

Jane’s Law : A Bill to “…Amend title 18, United States Code, to strengthen enforcement of spousal court-ordered property distributions, and for other purposes.”

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Jane's BACKSTORY

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Jane Maharam was born in 1930 (Jane Lowy). She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Maharam, in 1952 and had two children. Jane graduated NYU with a life-long teaching license, taught school, helped her husband with Maharam Fabric Corporation and was a noted professional manager in the entertainment business.  Jane was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

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On June 15, 1983, without warning, her husband of 31 years ransacked the house, stole property, cash and assets as well as sold and divested their leading textile business and property behind-her-back and absconded out of the state. He left her a “good-bye” letter on the kitchen table.

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After going through approximately 15 years of legal and financial manipulations by her former spouse, and strawmen, Jane finally received a NY State Judgment and Warrant for her former husband's arrest: He did not return to court, nor return her marital property, as directed by the court.

But, the Warrant needs Federal Enforcement to be effective; a well-kept omission/loophole by judges and matrimonial attorneys who failed to notify/protect litigants

Not giving up, Jane took her findings to Congress; to fix a loophole in the law. There was protection for child and spousal support, however, there was a major omission: protection for court-ordered marital property distribution.

"Jane's Law" shall stop spouses or ex-spouses from illegally stealing marital property and crossing state lines to avoid prosecution.

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Jane's Law is not based on a new crime; it is a no-brainer, based on the state court decisions and warrants. Jane's Law just gives the teeth of enforcement of these orders in the Federal NCIC database.

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Eventually, Jane’s efforts were stifled by age limitations, lack of resources, and dependence on public assistance, organizations and others for help as her strength deteriorated.

In April 2016, Jane passed away at the age of 85. Former Rep Ted Poe [TX] made a heartwarming speech about Jane on the House floor and a call to members to help follow through and champion Jane's Law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv3TVaMqgHc

Now, the time has come for fruition in Congress.  After Jane's passing, the COVID pandemic made it difficult to move forward, so her daughter, Patsy waited for the appropriate time to bring Jane's Law to the forefront.

Jane wanted to ensure that what happened to her would not happen to anyone else. 

To continue Jane's justice, her daughter, Patsy, is currently working with members of Congress and their Congressional staffers to make this bill move forward to protect others.

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On January 12, 2024, Representatives Anthony D'Esposito and Rep Jim Costa, from the large states of NY and California joined together with the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus and other co-sponsors to introduce the bi-partisan Jane's Law (HR 6988) legislation into the 118th Congress.  

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