NW Valley Times

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) this week vetoed a bill that would have held public entities liable for losses arising from felonious sex crimes committed by a public official against a child with a disability.

The bill, S.B. 1435, was sponsored by Ariz. State Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R-Phoenix) and passed the Arizona Senate 19-9-2. The Arizona House passed the bill on a 34-26 vote. 

Every Republican in the Arizona legislature supported the bill. The only “no” votes came from Arizona Democrats.

"An institution tasked with keeping our children safe should be held accountable if they choose to hire someone who causes them harm," said Bolick in a statement. "Sadly, Governor Hobbs disagrees.”

“Keeping Arizona's children safe is a top priority for Senate Republicans, and we've fought hard to close gaps in our system that allow those who facilitate crimes against our most vulnerable population, to get away with their heinous acts,” she said. “One Arizona child who is victimized is one too many."

Bolick has represented Arizona’s 2nd State Senate District since August 2023, when she was appointed by the Maricopa County Board of Advisors to fill the seat vacated by retiring State Sen. Steve Kaiser (R-Phoenix).

She previously represented District 20 in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. Bolick also served on the Arizona State Board of Education’s Academic Standards Development Committee and was appointed to Arizona’s Early Childhood Education and Health Board by former Gov. Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.)

Bolick attended Syracuse University and received a master’s degree from American University. 

A native of Pittsburgh, Penn., Bolick lives in Phoenix with her husband.