Senator Bolick Advances Strong Reforms to Protect Arizona's Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 19, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Arizona State Senator Shawnna Bolick is taking decisive action to enhance child safety by advancing a series of legislative measures focused on prevention, accountability, and swift intervention when a child's safety is at risk. These initiatives strengthen coordination among law enforcement, protect newborns from dangerous exposure, and hold schools accountable for failing to act on known threats, placing children's well-being as the top priority at every step.
SB 1416 enhances the response procedures for when a child goes missing or is suspected of having been kidnapped. It modernizes the notification and reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies, ensuring they can act quickly and consistently. The bill establishes clear procedures and mandates regular training for officers, so they know exactly how to respond as soon as a report is received.
SB 1476 aims to prevent serious harm to newborns by classifying child neglect as a class 6 felony when a person exposes a newborn to dangerous narcotic drugs or when a healthcare professional diagnoses fetal alcohol syndrome. The bill balances accountability with compassion by providing an affirmative defense for mothers who successfully complete alcohol or drug treatment during pregnancy, thereby prioritizing the health of their child while seeking recovery.
SB 1684 empowers students and parents by allowing them to take legal action against public schools that do not adequately address known bullying threats. If a school receives prior reports of bullying and fails to act responsibly, resulting in a student suffering serious physical injury, this legislation ensures that the school is held accountable for not protecting the child's safety.
"Protecting children is not optional; it is our most fundamental responsibility," said Senator Bolick. "These bills ensure that when a child goes missing, law enforcement can act swiftly and decisively. When a newborn is exposed to dangerous substances, there will be real accountability along with a path to treatment. Additionally, when schools receive warnings about bullying, they are required to take action before a tragedy occurs. Every child deserves to be safe, seen, and protected. These reforms make it clear that Arizona will not tolerate negligence, silence, or inaction when it comes to our kids."
All of these bills have passed their respective committees and are headed to the Senate floor for a full vote.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus