HB 2242
Initials JL/MB Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: JUD DPA 5-2-0-2-0-0
HB 2242: sexual conduct; minor; classification; sentence
Sponsor: Representative Willoughby, LD 13
House Engrossed
Overview
Reclassifies sexual conduct with a minor of at least 15 years of age as a class 4 felony and
mandates one year of jail time for a person convicted of the crime if placed on probation.
History
A person commits sexual conduct with a minor by intentionally or knowingly engaging in
sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with any person who is under 18 years of age.
Current law classifies sexual conduct with a minor of at least 15 years of age as a class 6
felony. If the sexual conduct occurred between a minor and an adult in a position of trust,
then the offense is classified as a class 2 felony. Sexual conduct with a minor under the age
of 15 is classified as a class 2 felony and is punishable as a dangerous crime against children
under A.R.S. § 13-705 (A.R.S. § 13-1405).
Under A.R.S. § 13-1407, subsection E (commonly referred to as the Romeo and Juliet Law),
it is a defense to a prosecution for sexual conduct with a minor if all of the following
circumstances are met:
1) the victim is between 15 and 17 years old;
2) the defendant is under 19 years old or attending high school and is no more than 24
months older than the victim; and
3) the conduct is consensual.
Provisions
1. Raises the felony classification for sexual conduct with a minor of at least 15 years of age
from class 6 to class 4. (Sec. 1)
2. Requires a person convicted of sexual conduct with a minor of at least 15 years of age to
serve one year of jail time if the convicted person is placed on probation. (Sec. 1)
3. Changes the Romeo and Juliet Law by removing the requirement that the defendant be
under 19 years old or attending high school and raising the applicable age difference
between the victim and the defendant from 24 months to 3 years. (Sec. 2)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note