ABOUT KAYLEIGH KOZAK

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KAYLEIGH KOZAK IS THE NAMESAKE BEHIND "KAYLEIGH'S LAW." SHE IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF DETERMINATION, AND HER STORY IS BOTH MOVING AND INSPIRATIONAL. KAYLEIGH IS LIVING PROOF THAT A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL CAN MAKE A PROFOUND IMPACT.

KAYLEIGH IS A DEVOTED WIFE, PROUD MOTHER TO FIVE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, COLLEGE GRADUATE, INFLUENTIAL STAKEHOLDER IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES, POLITICAL ACTIVIST, AND ACCOMPLISHED PUBLIC SPEAKER. SHE IS ALSO A SURVIVOR OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE—A CATEGORY SHE NEVER WISHED TO BE A PART OF.

IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, THIRTEEN YEARS AFTER HER CASE HAD BEEN CLOSED, KAYLEIGH FOUND HERSELF FACING THE MAN WHO HAD SEXUALLY ABUSED HER AS A YOUNG TEENAGER IN COURT ONCE AGAIN. UNDER THE EXISTING LAWS OF ARIZONA, KAYLEIGH LEARNED THAT HER PROTECTION WOULD CEASE TO EXIST ONCE HER PERPETRATOR'S PROBATION ENDED, LEAVING HER VULNERABLE. DETERMINED TO FIGHT AGAINST THIS INJUSTICE, SHE APPEALED AGAINST HIS MOTION FOR EARLY TERMINATION FROM HIS LIFETIME PROBATION. COLLABORATING WITH HER LOCAL LEGISLATORS, KAYLEIGH WORKED TIRELESSLY TO DRAFT A BILL AND ESTABLISH A NEW LAW THAT WOULD GRANT VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE CONTINUED PROTECTION FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIVES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABUSER'S PROBATION STATUS. IN APRIL OF 2021, GOVERNOR DUCEY SIGNED SB1412 INTO LAW, MAKING ARIZONA THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO OFFER LIFELONG PROTECTION TO VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE. IN JUNE OF THE SAME YEAR, THE ARIZONA STATE SENATE OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMED SB1412 AS "KAYLEIGH'S LAW."

KAYLEIGH'S UNWAVERING DRIVE AND PASSION TO CHALLENGE A FLAWED SYSTEM EXEMPLIFY HER REMARKABLE STRENGTH. THROUGH HER GRASSROOTS EFFORTS, SHE IS EFFECTING CHANGE IN LAWS THAT IMPACT VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS ACROSS AMERICA.

IN 2007, WHEN THE MAN WHO SEXUALLY ABUSED ME ACCEPTED A PLEA DEAL THAT INCLUDED LIFETIME PROBATION, I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE PROTECTED FOR MY LIFETIME. IN 2020, I DISCOVERED THAT MY DIRECT PROTECTION WAS TIED TO THE TERMS OF HIS PROBATION. THE REALIZATION THAT ONCE HIS PROBATION ENDED, MY PROTECTION WOULD BE GONE LEFT ME DETERMINED TO TAKE ACTION. AFTER 15 YEARS, I FOUND MYSELF FACING MY ABUSER IN COURT, PLEADING WITH THE JUDGE TO DENY HIS MOTION. IN THAT MOMENT, A FIRE WAS IGNITED WITHIN ME. IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS FIGHT WAS NO LONGER JUST ABOUT ME; IT WAS ABOUT BEING A VOICE FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS EVERYWHERE. I REACHED OUT TO MY LOCAL STATE SENATOR, SINE KERR, WHO HELPED INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION IN ARIZONA TITLED 'SB1412,' WHICH PROVIDED VICTIMS OF CERTAIN CRIMES MOST NOTABLY SEX CRIMES THE OPTION TO HAVE PROTECTION THAT WOULD BE VALID FOR THEIR NATURAL LIFETIME, REGARDLESS OF THE TERMS OF THE PERPETRATORS PROBATION AND OR SEX OFFENDER STATUS. THIS BILL PASSED WITH COMPLETE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. NOW, MY FERVENT HOPE IS TO SEE THIS LAW ENACTED ACROSS OUR NATION. VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED, NOT JUST IN ARIZONA, BUT EVERYWHERE. I WILL CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR YOU, 

BECAUSE YOU STILL MATTER.