By Ethan Faverino |

Arizona State Senator Janae Shamp (R-LD29) hailed a significant court victory after a challenge to one of the state’s strictest child-protection laws was rejected, ensuring that convicted sex offenders remain subject to rigorous registration and oversight requirements.

The court ruled that the plaintiff—a registered sex offender previously convicted of attempted sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of sexual abuse, and public indecency—must continue to comply with all current sex-offender registration laws and conditions.

The decision upholds years of Republican-led legislative efforts to close loopholes that once allowed thousands of dangerous offenders to evade public scrutiny.

In just the past two years, four bills authored by Senator Shamp to strengthen protection for children and increase accountability for predators have been signed into law. These measures have resulted in more than 6,800 Level 1 sex offenders—previously spared by “legal loopholes”—now appearing on Arizona’s public registry for crimes against children.

“This ruling sends a loud and clear message: Arizona stands with children, not with offenders. I will not slow down, I will not back off, and I will continue to close every door that pedophiles try to slip through,” said Senator Shamp. “All sex offenders in Arizona, your secrets are revealed, and the consequences will follow you. I want to thank victims like Kayleigh Kozak for fighting this battle alongside me to get the job done. My mission is to protect the vulnerable, and I will fight every day to continue finding legislative solutions to achieve that. This victory is only the beginning—our work to secure Arizona’s future continues.”

Kayleigh Kozak, the driving force behind “Kayleigh’s Law”, has become one of Arizona’s most prominent victim-advocates. The landmark legislation, passed with bipartisan support and signed into law in 2022, gives victims of dangerous crimes, including sexual abuse, the right to obtain a lifetime restraining order against their perpetrators.

The law was born out of Kozak’s own experience. As a middle-school student in Buckeye, she was sexually assaulted by her soccer coach. Years later, she learned that her abuser was attempting to have his probation lifted, sparking her to team up with Sen. Kerr to draft such legislation.

Within its first year, Kayleigh’s Law enabled 1,009 Arizona victims to serve their perpetrators with lifetime protective orders.

“Over the past four years, I have worked alongside Senator Shamp on critical legislation to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and to bring truth and transparency to the judicial system—making our communities and children safer,” said Kozak. “The actions of these registered sex offenders are both disgusting and dangerous. Now, through multiple lawsuits, they are challenging the enhanced sex offender registration laws, further demonstrating their disregard for rules, boundaries, and laws.”

She continued, “If these offenders feel uncomfortable with society knowing who they are, where they live, and what they have done, they should have considered the consequences of their actions before choosing to harm a child. Together, we can continue to advocate for safety, accountability, and transparency in our communities!”

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.