The bill HB2242 proposes to amend the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding sexual conduct with minors. Specifically, it increases the penalty for sexual conduct with a minor who is at least 15 years old from a class 6 felony to a class 4 felony. This change reflects a more severe punishment for such offenses, as a class 4 felony carries a presumptive prison sentence of 2.5 years compared to the 1-year sentence for a class 6 felony.

Additionally, the bill modifies the statutory defense known as the "Romeo and Juliet" defense. Under the current law, this defense applies if the defendant is under 19 years old or attending high school and is no more than 24 months older than the victim. The new bill would allow the defendant to be no more than 36 months older than the victim and removes the requirement that the defendant be under 19 or in high school. This change broadens the applicability of the defense, potentially reducing the number of prosecutions for consensual conduct between minors and young adults.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-1405
House Engrossed Version: 13-1405, 13-1407, 13-705, 31-233
Senate Engrossed Version: 13-1405
Conference Engrossed Version: 13-1405, 13-1407, 13-705, 31-233