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AN ACT
Establishing the strangulation and suffocation study committee.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Strangulation and suffocation study committee; membership; duties; report A. The strangulation and suffocation study committee is established consisting of the following members: 1. Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who are members of different political parties. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee. 2. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who are members of different political parties. The president of the senate shall designate one of these members to serve as cochairperson of the committee. 3. One member who is appointed by the governor and who represents a statewide coalition against domestic violence. 4. One member who is appointed by the governor and who represents a statewide sexual assault network. 5. Two members who represent providers of domestic violence shelter services, one of whom is from a county with a population of one million two hundred thousand persons or more and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom is from a county with a population of less than one million two hundred thousand persons and who is appointed by the president of the senate. 6. One member who is appointed by the governor and who represents the governor's commission to prevent violence against women. 7. Two members who represent the law enforcement community, one of whom is from a county with a population of one million two hundred thousand persons or more and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom is from a county with a population of less than one million two hundred thousand persons and who is appointed by the president of the senate. 8. Two county attorneys or their designees, one of whom is from a county with a population of one million two hundred thousand persons or more and who is appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom is from a county with a population of less than one million two hundred thousand persons and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 9. Two judges, one of whom is from a municipal court and who is appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom is from a superior court and who is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. 10. Two members who are victims of strangulation or suffocation, one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom is appointed by the president of the senate. 11. One member who is appointed by the governor and who is a representative of the Arizona peace officer standards and training board. 12. The director of the department of public safety or the director's designee. B. The study committee shall research and report on: 1. The prevalence of intentional strangulation or suffocation in domestic violence situations in this state. 2. The reporting and recording practices of peace officers in relation to strangulation or suffocation involving domestic violence calls. 3. The number and circumstances of cases involving strangulation or suffocation that are considered misdemeanors and felonies. 4. The outcomes of plea bargains in cases involving strangulation or suffocation. 5. The training currently required for first responders regarding physical indications of strangulation or suffocation. C. The study committee shall make recommendations to improve law enforcement, judicial and victim advocate responses to strangulation or suffocation cases. D. On or before December 31, 2008, the study committee shall submit a report regarding its findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate and the state coalition against domestic violence that has a member who serves on the committee and provide a copy of the report to the secretary of state and the director of the Arizona state library, archives and public records. E. Members of the study committee are not eligible to receive compensation, but public members are eligible for reimbursement of expenses pursuant to title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes. Sec. 2. Delayed repeal This act is repealed from and after September 30, 2009. |