Senate committee advances bill to allow lifetime injunctions for aggravated harassment in domestic violence cases

SB 1211, which would allow victims of certain felony aggravated-harassment offenses tied to domestic violence to seek lifetime injunctions against convicted defendants, received a due-pass recommendation from the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee on Jan. 27.

Advocates and survivors urged passage. "This bill expands protections for victims" and provides what one advocate called a "1-and-done" path that spares survivors the trauma of repeatedly reapplying, said Megan Harris, testifying on behalf of the Arizona Coalition to End ****** and Domestic Violence. Tori Borganon, executive director of Amberley's Place Family Advocacy Center in Yuma, described repeated, technology-enabled harassment and warned it often predicts escalation. Survivor Danica Williams said trauma "does not end when abuse stops" and that SB 1211 would recognize the long-term harms of abuse.

Sponsor remarks and committee action: The sponsor said the bill originated from a civic leadership fellowship and sought to strengthen protections for families and children. After brief questioning and three public testimonies, the sponsor moved the bill. The committee voted to recommend SB 1211 for passage with a unanimous roll-call tally recorded at the hearing.

What happens next: A due-pass recommendation advances the bill to the full Senate calendar where senators may debate, amend or vote on final passage. The committee record shows support from victim-service organizations and survivors; no formal amendments were adopted in committee.