Hello John,

Governor Doug Ducey kicked off Arizona Victims’ Rights Week 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. It was introduced by Rep. Shawnna Bolick, who joined the governor for the ceremonial signing of the bill.

12 News, The Center Square and Arizona's Family covered the bill's signing. See excepts below.

Gov. Doug Ducey signs two bills that help advocate for victims’ rights

Arizona Doubles Victim Protection Order Duration

Tom Joyce
The Center Square
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

“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 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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