State Senator Shawnna Bolick (R-AZ) is making it harder for repeat abusers to slip through the cracks of Arizona's legal system.
Sen. Bolick secured the signing of SB 1211 last Friday, a bill she championed that extends lifetime protection orders to victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence.
The new law builds on an existing statute, Kayleigh's Law, which previously granted lifetime injunctions in certain serious cases but left a gap for victims facing repeated harassment.
Back in 2022, Kayleigh's Law, established under SB 1653, requires courts to issue a lifetime injunction at sentencing, upon the victim's or prosecutor's request, when a defendant is convicted of dangerous felonies, serious or violent offenses, or sexual offenses.
Those injunctions are served on the defendant at sentencing, and remain in place for the offender's natural lifetime unless the victim requests early expiration or limited legal exceptions apply.
Under the previous framework, victims dealing with persistent unwanted contact were not eligible for the same permanent protections available in other serious criminal cases.
Now, SB 1211 changes that.
New Revisions
Courts are now required to issue a lifetime injunction at sentencing, upon the victim's request, against anyone convicted of felony aggravated harassment with a domestic violence component.
The bill's scope reflects the nature of aggravated harassment itself.
Unlike isolated incidents, these cases typically involve offenders who have already violated court orders or carry prior domestic violence convictions against the same person, a pattern of behavior that can cause lasting fear and emotional harm.
Bolick pointed to that pattern as the driving force behind the legislation. "Aggravated harassment is often part of a repeated pattern of abuse, and these victims deserve the same level of protection," she said, adding that the law is meant to give survivors the stability to rebuild their lives.
Revealed Gaps in System
The push for the legislation came partly from advocates at Amberly's Place, a Phoenix-area nonprofit that connects domestic violence survivors with law enforcement, medical care, and victim services under one roof.
Staff there reportedly flagged the gap in existing protections after observing its real-world consequences.
The injunction takes effect immediately at sentencing and remains in place for the duration of the offender's lifetime, with only limited exceptions.
The law takes effect 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns its current session.
