Senate Republicans Protect Arizona Children from the Horrors of Reunification Camps with SB 1372 Signed into Law
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Republicans are celebrating Tuesday's signing of a bill aimed at safeguarding children from reunification camps.
SB 1372, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick and co-sponsored by Senator David Farnsworth, prohibits a court from ordering children to participate in family reunification treatment unless both parents consent. These camps involve children within broken families being taken against their will from the parent they prefer and undergoing mental health evaluations and therapies until they agree to be with the other parent. Often, this parent is an abuser, and being forced back into this environment perpetuates victimization.
"A number of families reached out to me with their horror stories surrounding reunification camps, and I was compelled to take action," said Senator Shawnna Bolick. "Unqualified individuals have been profiting off of the dysfunction being forced upon countless kids, and the judicial system seems to be none the wiser to this scheme. Many times, these kids are taken in the middle of the night, sent to seedy locations like motels, sometimes out of state, and are basically brainwashed into agreeing to spend time with a parent that is either mentally, emotionally, or physically harming the child while having no contact with the parent that the child actually feels safe with. I'm thrilled this bill was signed into law."
"Government doesn't always make the best decisions when it comes to protecting Arizona's children," said Senator David Farnsworth. "I'm very happy every Republican within the Legislature recognized the urgent need to put a stop to this victimization by voting in support of the bill."
This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.
For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov
Alerts Sign-up