Senate Republicans Protect Arizona Children from the Horrors of Reunification Camps with SB 1372 Signed into Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Senate Republicans Protect Arizona Children from the

Horrors of Reunification Camps with SB 1372 Signed into Law

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Republicans are continuing their crusade to protect Arizona's most precious population from victimization and are celebrating Tuesday's signing of a bill aimed at safeguarding children from the horrors of 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" are a for-profit scheme where children within broken families are forcibly taken against their will from the parent they prefer to spend their time with and are put through rigorous mental health evaluations and therapies until the children convey a convincing desire to be with the other parent. Many times, this parent the child is choosing to be away from is an abuser, and the trauma associated with being forced back into this environment only furthers the cycle of 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 disfunction 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, but I'm also utterly appalled nine out of 14 Senate Democrats and nearly all House Democrats voted 'no' on protecting our children from this heinous victimization. Their vote against this legislation shows their true colors. Democrats are more concerned with partisan games than following their conscience and doing what's right for the safety and well-being of these vulnerable kids."

"Government doesn't always make the best decisions when it comes to protecting Arizona's children, and sometimes government's actions cause more harm than good," 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, and I'm even more thrilled it was signed into law. We are ultimately stopping the cycle of victimization and giving these kids a fighting chance at life, in a loving home, with a loving parent."

This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov