New legal protections for domestic violence victims and their families is now awaiting its final approvals.

The New York state Senate unanimously passed “Melanie’s Law”, which will allow family members or households of a domestic violence victims the ability to get an order of protection no matter the age.

The law is named after Melanie Chianese, a 29-year-old mother from Dutchess County who was murdered by her mother's abusive ex-partner.

Melanie's mother and 4-year-old son were granted protective orders. Melanie was ineligible because she was not a minor. The legislation will now head to an assembly vote, then to the governor to sign off.