SB 1302 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-1310 regarding abduction of children from state agency custody.

• Creates a class 1 misdemeanor exception to felony charges when a child voluntarily leaves their placement, the person keeping the child is the child's natural or adoptive parent, and the motive is to protect and care for the child.

• Maintains felony classifications for taking or enticing children from state agency custody: class 3 felony if taken out of state, class 4 felony if kept in state, and class 6 felony if voluntarily returned within 48 hours without injury.

• Defines "state agency" as the Department of Child Safety or Department of Juvenile Corrections.

• Approved by the Governor on April 8, 2024.