Assigned to JUD FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1216
orders of protection; duration
Purpose
Increases the effective duration of an order of protection from one year to two years after
the defendant has been served.
Background
The purpose of an order of protection is to restrain a person from either committing an act
of domestic violence or from contacting people protected by the order. Orders of protection are
used when a statutorily designated relationship exists between the defendant and the plaintiff. The
plaintiff awarded the order of protection may be awarded exclusive use of the home. The courts,
if the defendant is found to be a credible threat to the physical safety of the plaintiff, must prohibit
the defendant from possessing or purchasing a firearm for the duration of the order (A.R.S.
ยง 13-3602).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Increases, from one year to two years, the effective duration of an order of protection after the
defendant has been served.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 1, 2022
ZD/HW/sr