Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1211 in April 2026, expanding 2022's Kayleigh's Law to authorize lifetime injunctions against abusers convicted of felony aggravated harassment under A.R.S. § 13-2921.01. The law eliminates annual renewal hearings for domestic violence victims whose abusers continued harassment after prior convictions and existing court orders.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legislation | Senate Bill 1211 (2026 regular session) |
| Signed by | Gov. Katie Hobbs (April 2026) |
| Expands | 2022 Kayleigh's Law (originally A.R.S. § 13-3601.02) |
| Trigger offense | Felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence, A.R.S. § 13-2921.01 |
| Who benefits | Domestic violence victims facing repeat offenders with prior DV convictions and active orders |
| Practical impact | Permanent (lifetime) injunction — no mandatory 1-year renewals under A.R.S. § 13-3602 |
| Advocacy source | Tori Bourguignon, executive director of Amberly's Place (Yuma County) |
Why This Matters Legally
SB1211 changes how Arizona courts treat chronic domestic violence abusers who escalate through the criminal justice system. Before this expansion, most orders of protection issued under A.R.S. § 13-3602 expired after 1 year, requiring victims to return to court, re-tell their story, and face their abuser again simply to renew basic safety.
The 2022 Kayleigh's Law — named after Kayleigh Kozak, a Yuma teenager murdered by her ex-boyfriend — first authorized lifetime injunctions in Arizona, but only for narrow categories of convictions. SB1211 broadens that door. Under the new framework, a victim whose abuser is convicted of felony aggravated harassment under A.R.S. § 13-2921.01 — a charge that itself requires a prior DV conviction and a standing court order — can petition for an injunction that never expires. That eliminates what Bourguignon called the "very time-consuming" re-litigation cycle that survivors describe as re-traumatizing.
For Arizona family law practice, this matters because protective orders and divorce proceedings frequently overlap. A lifetime injunction under the expanded statute will outlive the divorce decree, the parenting plan, and any subsequent modification. It creates a permanent legal boundary that defense counsel, prosecutors, and family courts must account for indefinitely.
How Arizona Law Handles This
Arizona's domestic violence framework operates through three interlocking statutes. A.R.S. § 13-3601 defines domestic violence broadly, covering spouses, former spouses, co-parents, and people who reside or have resided together. A.R.S. § 13-3602 establishes the standard order of protection process — victims file in superior, justice, or municipal court, judges can issue ex parte orders the same day, and those orders automatically expire 1 year after service.
The aggravated harassment statute, A.R.S. § 13-2921.01, elevates misdemeanor harassment to a Class 5 or Class 6 felony when the offender (1) has a prior domestic violence conviction within the past 7 years, or (2) commits harassment while a valid court order restrains the conduct. That felony conviction is the gateway SB1211 uses to unlock lifetime protection.
The expansion builds on A.R.S. § 13-3601.02, the original Kayleigh's Law provision. Where the 2022 version limited lifetime injunctions to victims of specific dangerous-crime convictions, the 2026 amendment adds felony aggravated harassment to that list. Practically, this means Arizona courts can now issue permanent no-contact orders against abusers whose pattern — not just a single violent act — proves they will not stop.
Important caveat: the underlying criminal conviction is a prerequisite. A civil protective order petition alone does not trigger lifetime relief. Prosecutors must secure the felony conviction under A.R.S. § 13-2921.01 first, then the victim or the court can move for permanent injunctive relief.
Practical Takeaways for Arizona Residents
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Document every violation in writing. If your abuser contacts you in violation of an existing order of protection under A.R.S. § 13-3602, save texts, voicemails, emails, and social media messages with timestamps. Those records become evidence for a felony aggravated harassment charge.
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Report violations immediately to law enforcement. A standing order of protection plus a prior DV conviction converts new harassment into a Class 5 or Class 6 felony under A.R.S. § 13-2921.01. Police reports create the paper trail prosecutors need.
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Coordinate with your victim advocate and prosecutor. Organizations like Amberly's Place in Yuma, the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, and county victim services can help you navigate the conviction-to-lifetime-injunction pipeline SB1211 creates.
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Tell your family law attorney. If you have an active divorce, custody, or parenting-time case, disclose any pending criminal charges or SB1211-eligible convictions. A lifetime injunction changes visitation exchanges, relocation analysis, and communication protocols permanently.
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Do not let a current 1-year order expire without review. Arizona orders under A.R.S. § 13-3602 auto-expire 1 year after service. If your case may now qualify for lifetime relief under the expanded Kayleigh's Law, file before the old order lapses.
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Know the geographic scope. A full order of protection under Arizona law is enforceable in all 50 states under the federal Violence Against Women Act. A lifetime injunction carries the same portability — it does not stop at the Arizona border.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Arizona SB1211 take effect?
Arizona bills signed during the 2026 regular session generally take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns sine die, unless the bill contains an emergency clause. Victims should confirm the exact effective date with the Arizona Secretary of State or consult counsel before filing under the expanded A.R.S. § 13-3601.02.
Can I get a lifetime injunction without a criminal conviction?
No. SB1211 requires an underlying felony conviction for aggravated harassment under A.R.S. § 13-2921.01. Standard 1-year orders of protection under A.R.S. § 13-3602 remain available without a conviction, but lifetime relief is tied specifically to the criminal case outcome and the statutory gateway offenses.
Does a lifetime injunction affect child custody in Arizona?
Yes. Under A.R.S. § 25-403.03, a finding of significant domestic violence creates a rebuttable presumption against awarding joint legal decision-making to the abuser. A lifetime injunction, backed by a felony DV conviction, is strong evidence that can shape parenting-time orders for the life of the child.
What if my abuser moves out of Arizona?
The federal Violence Against Women Act (18 U.S.C. § 2265) requires every state to give full faith and credit to valid protective orders, including Arizona lifetime injunctions. If your abuser relocates, the order remains enforceable nationwide, and local law enforcement in the new state must honor it.
How is felony aggravated harassment different from regular harassment in Arizona?
Regular harassment under A.R.S. § 13-2921 is typically a Class 1 misdemeanor. Aggravated harassment under A.R.S. § 13-2921.01 becomes a Class 5 or Class 6 felony when the offender has a DV conviction within the prior 7 years or violates an active court order. The felony conviction is what unlocks SB1211's lifetime remedy.
Talk to an Arizona Family Law Attorney
If you are navigating a divorce, custody dispute, or protective order that may qualify under the expanded Kayleigh's Law, an Arizona family law attorney can assess your specific situation and coordinate with prosecutors and victim advocates. Use our directory to find the exclusive member firm serving your Arizona county.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.