Hello John,
Governor Doug Ducey kicked off Arizona Victims’ Rights Week ([link removed]) by signing bi-partisan legislation to provide crime victims with more time to find safety and resources.

The bill – passed unanimously in both the Arizona House and Senate – removes barriers for crime victims by increasing the length of orders of protection ([link removed]) . It was introduced by Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who joined the governor for the ceremonial signing ([link removed]) of the bill.

12 News ([link removed]) , The Center Square ([link removed]) and Arizona's Family ([link removed]) covered the bill's signing. See excepts below.


** Gov. Doug Ducey signs two bills that help advocate for victims’ rights
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Jessica Goodman
Arizona's Family ([link removed])
April 26, 2022
The other bill celebrated in Monday’s ceremony, H.B. 2604, was signed into law Friday. That measure makes orders of protection effective for longer to give crime victims more time “to take measures for safety.”

“We want to ensure all victims can receive support in every corner of our state,” Ducey said. “The bill in front of us is the latest action we’re taking to protect Arizonans who are victims of crime. With this law, victims can feel safe and secure for longer without having to repeat the same judicial process.”

“Victims of a crime should feel protected by their state and not live in fear for their safety,” said Rep. Shawnna Bolick of Phoenix, who sponsored the bill. “It was an honor to sponsor a bill that defends victims’ rights and helps to secure their safety.”


** Arizona Doubles Victim Protection Order Duration
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Tom Joyce
The Center Square ([link removed])
April 25, 2022

Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill to protect the victims of crime.

Ducey on Friday signed House Bill 2604, sponsored by Rep. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix. The bill increases the length of protection, letting victims of crime have more time to protect themselves. It passed with unanimous support in both chambers of the legislature.

“Arizona does not tolerate domestic abuse or violence, and we will never stop working to protect victims and their rights,” Governor Ducey said in a press release. “Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, and in the unfortunate case where there is a victim of crime, they should have the right to privacy and isolation from the offender. H.B. 2604 removes barriers to ensure further protection for individuals in immediate and present danger of domestic violence, providing them peace of mind.”

The press release said the bill “increases the effective duration of an order of protection or a modified order of protection from one year to two years after the defendant has been served and extends the effective duration of an emergency order of protection to seven calendar days after issuance.”

Bolick said that this would make the victims of crime feel safe and allow them to protect themselves.


** Ducey signs bill extending duration of restraining orders
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12 News ([link removed])
April 22, 2022

“Everyone deserves to feel safe at home, and in the unfortunate case where there is a victim of crime, they should have the right to privacy and isolation from the offender," the governor said in a statement.

The legislation additionally allows any judge or justice of the peace in counties with a population of fewer than 150,000 to issue emergency protection orders by telephone after the courts are closed.

Shante Saulsberry, the founder of Janice's Women's Center ([link removed]) in Phoenix, spoke in support of HB 2604 and said its provisions were needed to expand support for victims seeking safety from their abusers.

Saulsberry said she once was a victim of domestic violence and recalled how isolated she felt as she attempted to get into a safer environment.

"I was scared, I was alone, I was uneducated on government support, and no one to advocate for me," Saulsberry told lawmakers before HB 2604 was passed.

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