EXCLUSIVE: Ava’s Law Belongs To Everyone, Gress Says

Late last week, State Rep. Matt Gress, up for re-election in LD4, posted the seemingly most anodyne campaign video possible online. The video shows lobbyist Gretchen Jacobs championing Gress as someone who stands up for children with special needs. But then came the turn. After someone sexually abused Jacobs’ daughter Ava at school, the video says, Gress “passed” Ava’s Law to protect Ava and others like her.

Democratic critics went bananas on Twitter. They claimed that Gress was taking credit for their hard work. Suddenly, this became a campaign issue. The LD4 Democrats Twitter account sensed an opening, tweeting that “Lobbyist Gress isn’t listed anywhere on the bill. #LD4 needs to kick this Lobbyist to the curb. He can’t be trusted to represent us.” Catherine Miranda, the Democrat sponsor of the bill, posted on X, “I’m confused Matt. “Ava’s Law”is my legislation. You are actually using Ava for your campaign benefit? I protect kids and I’ll protect Ava from you!”

In an interview with Arizona Globe, Gress says that the whole thing is a big misunderstanding. Though in his campaign video he says that he “passed” the bill, he means that he happily voted for it and helped it through the legislative process. Jacobs, a Capitol lobbyist who later ran for Scottsdale school board, is a longtime friend and colleague of Gress and donated a small amount to his 2022 campaign. Gress pointed out that Ava’s Law was the second attempt to close a state loophole after Governor Hobbs vetoed a similar bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Shawnna Bolick, in 2024.

A teacher’s aide sexually assaulted Ava Jacobs, a nonverbal autistic student, in 2021. Before Ava’s Law passed, Arizona generally protected a public entity—like a school district—from civil liability for a felony committed by an employee unless the government entity already knew the employee had a propensity to commit that kind of act. Ava’s Law changes that for sexual offenses against minors or children with disabilities.

The law passed both houses unanimously in 2025. Gress says he had a strong behind-the-scenes house role in passing it, working with Gretchen Jacobs, approaching Judiciary Chair Quang Nguyen, and House and Senate leadership, then helping whip it through the Republican caucus. “Ava’s bill doesn’t belong to anybody in particular. I’m glad Senator Miranda took it up. I was happy to sign on as a cosponsor for her bill,” he says.

Senator Miranda didn’t return a request for comment, and Senator Bolick’s office says she hasn’t seen Gress’ campaign ad.

Gress adds that he wanted to highlight the bill in his campaign because it has a sunset provision in place, meaning it expires at the end of next year, so the legislature needs to renew it in the coming session across party lines. “I don’t think the credit belongs to any one person,” he says. “If anyone deserves the credit it’s Gretchen. I’m proud to have played a part.”