Arizona legislation · Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session (2026)
Arizona HB4006: defamation actions; sexual offenses
Status: In committee, February 9, 2026
HB4006 - defamation actions; sexual offenses
What the bill says
An act amending title 12, chapter 6, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-651.01; relating to libel and slander.
From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:
AN ACT amending title 12, chapter 6, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-651.01; relating to libel and slander. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) Section 1. Title 12, chapter 6, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 12-651.01, to sexual offenses A. a person who is accused of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence may not use a defamation action to silence or retaliate against the accusing person or a staff member or third party reporting the sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence, including cases where the alleged perpetrator is publicly named. b. Defamation actions where an accuser is publicly named by a person or a staff member or third person reporting alleged sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence may be brought for cases where cited documentation and evidence can establish within the initial court filing one or more of the following: 1. The claimed act in the reported accusation was a factual impossibility for the accused to have perpetrated. 2. The accuser has been impeached in a courtroom proceeding regarding the same alleged facts as in the present reported accusation. 3. The accuser has publicly made contrary statements involving relevant, material facts regarding the present reported incident. …
Sponsors
- Villegas, Betty J (D, HD-020) · primary sponsor
- Aguilar, Cesar (D, HD-026)
- Austin, Lorena (D, HD-009)
- Cavero, Junelle (D, HD-011)
- Contreras, Patty (D)
- Crews, Quantá (D, HD-026)
- Garcia, Brian (D, HD-008)
- Liguori, Sarah (D, HD-005)
- Aaron Marquez (D, HD-005)
- Mathis, Christopher (D, HD-018)
- Mae Peshlakai (D, HD-006)
- Sandoval, Mariana (D, HD-023)
Latest actions
- : Assigned to Rules
- : Assigned to Judiciary
- : Introduced and first read
Common questions
- What is HB4006?
- HB4006 is a bill in the Arizona Legislature (Fifty-seventh Legislature - Second Regular Session (2026)): defamation actions; sexual offenses.
- What does HB4006 do?
- In its own words: An act amending title 12, chapter 6, article 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-651.01; relating to libel and slander.
- What is the status of HB4006?
- In committee as of February 9, 2026. Latest action: Assigned to Rules (February 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB4006?
- Villegas, Betty J (D, HD-020), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB4006?
- On the Arizona Legislature website: https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85517/?SessionId=130
Source: official Arizona record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.