Assigned to JUD                                                                                                            FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2268

 

domestic violence; definition; sentencing

 

Purpose

 

Stipulates that persons charged with domestic violence offenses may not be released from custody in specified instances.  Repeals a section of statute that was dually enacted by Laws 2000.

 

Background

 

H.B. 2268 restricts the ability for a person arrested or charged in relation to a domestic violence offense to be released from custody.  Due to this provision, enactment of this bill is conditional upon passage of an amendment to the Arizona Constitution proposed by H.C.R. 2014.

 

Additionally, current law contains two sections numbered A.R.S. section 13-3601, relating to domestic violence, its definition and sentencing options.  This legislation repeals one of the sections and blends the substantive provisions of the repealed section with the provisions of the remaining section wherever possible.  The remaining section differs from the repealed section in that it does not limit coverage for persons who reside or have resided in the same household to persons of the opposite sex.  This provision was passed by the Legislature in Laws 2000.

 

The Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff estimates that there will be no state general fund impact as a result of this bill.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Specifies that a person arrested or charged for a domestic violence offense or for a violation of the conditions of a pretrial release order or probation order may not be released from custody if both of the following apply:

 

·          the state, victim or other person appears personally or through counsel at the time release conditions are set.

·          the state, victim, or other person provides information that clearly and convincingly shows the person charged poses a substantial danger to any other person or the community and no conditions or release that may be imposed will reasonably assure the safety of the other person or the community.

 

2.      Adds to the definition of domestic violence “surreptitious photographing” if the relationship between the offender and the victim meets specified criteria.

 

3.      Repeals a dually enacted section of law and blends remaining substantive provisions wherever possible.

 

4.      Provides that the act shall be known as Cassie’s law.

 

5.      Makes enactment conditional upon adoption of a constitutional amendment to make a person charged with a domestic violence offense ineligible for bail if the person charged poses a substantial danger to any other person or the community, if no conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of the other person or the community and if the proof is evident or the presumption great as to the charge.

 

House Action

 

JUD                 3/6/01              DPA    8-0-0-2-0

3rd Read           3/19/01                        43-12-5-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

April 2, 2001