The bill ensures victims are better protected, reducing the likelihood of re-victimization

PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey today signed into law HB 2604, which includes language expanding time limits for official orders of protection (OOP) and emergency orders of protections (EOP). Survivors will now have more time to make necessary accommodations to remain safe, helping to end cycles of trauma. The Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) released the following statement from Aswad Thomas, Vice President at ASJ and the National Director for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice:

“For many crime survivors across Arizona, the current system simply doesn't provide the level of support and safety needed to heal after a traumatic event. If we are to truly make our communities safer for everyone, we must protect those who are most vulnerable. Thanks to Governor Ducey, Representative Bolick, and Senator Steele, Arizona survivors seeking orders of protection now have more time to protect themselves and their families when they need it most.

HB 2604 is a commonsense bill that gives more time for survivors to make necessary accommodations for safety when their lives are in danger. This critical reform will reduce the likelihood that a survivor will be re-victimized, and increase the chances that they can properly heal.

There is still more work to do to fully meet the needs of survivors, but HB 2604 is a step in the right direction to reduce trauma and stop cycles of violence. We look forward to continuing to work with elected leaders to make Arizona safer for all.”

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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