HB2835 amends Arizona Revised Statutes related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The bill introduces a new offense under sexual exploitation of a minor, which is knowingly observing a nude minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct for the person's sexual gratification. Additionally, the bill extends the applicability of the "Romeo and Juliet Law" defense to this new form of sexual exploitation, provided certain age and consent criteria are met.

The changes to the current law include the addition of observing a nude minor for sexual gratification as a form of sexual exploitation and the expansion of the "Romeo and Juliet Law" defense to include the new offense if the victim is between 15 and 17 years old, the defendant is under 19 years old or still in high school and no more than 24 months older than the victim, and the conduct is consensual.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-3553
House Engrossed Version: 13-3553