If signed by Governor Ducey, the bill would extend time periods for orders of protection and emergency orders of protection
PHOENIX – In a victory for Arizona crime survivors, the House of Representatives today gave final passage to HB 2604, expanding time limits for official orders of protection (OOP) and emergency orders of protections (EOP). Arizona survivors currently face short time windows after applying for EOPs when they are seeking safety after a traumatizing incident. HB 2604 – introduced by Representative Shawnna Bolick (R-District 20) – would increase the time limit of EOPs from three to five days, giving survivors more time to take the necessary measures to remain safe. Additionally, this bill would expand the time period of OOPs from one to two years, reducing the chances of re-victimization and helping to stop cycles of trauma. HB 2604 was passed with the support of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice – the flagship national network of crime victims with members throughout Arizona. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
“Today, the legislature reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of survivors and helping to stop cycles of violence,” said John Bauters, Arizona state director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice. “HB 2604 earned the support of crime victims because it was a common sense approach that meets their needs and improves safety for communities throughout Arizona. We thank Representative Bolick and Senator Steele for their advocacy on behalf of survivors. We look forward to Governor Ducey signing this critical legislation.”
“I know from my own experience as a domestic violence survivor that the current system simply doesn’t offer enough protections for victims in Arizona – but HB 2604 is a huge step in the right direction for those experiencing trauma,” said Celina Jyoti, a local member of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. “Strengthening orders of protection and emergency orders of protection for survivors will make people safer and make it less likely that survivors will be re-victimized. This will ensure the safety of survivors and their families when they need it most. As survivors, our voices must be included in public safety – and this bill achieves that.”
The full text of the bill can be read here.
About the Alliance for Safety and Justice
The Alliance for Safety and Justice is a national organization that aims to win evidence-based new safety priorities in states across the country. It also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence, as part of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice – its national network of over 90,000 crime survivors with thousands of members in Arizona. For more information, visit: https://allianceforsafetyandjustice.org or https://cssj.org.
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