The proposed bill amends Arizona law to establish protections against defamation actions for individuals accused of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic violence. Specifically, it prohibits these individuals from using defamation claims to silence or retaliate against their accusers or those reporting the allegations. Additionally, it outlines specific conditions under which a defamation action may be pursued if the accuser is publicly named, requiring substantial evidence to support the claim.

The new bill introduces criteria that must be met for a defamation action to proceed, including proving that the alleged act was factually impossible for the accused, that the accuser has been impeached in court, or that the accuser has made contradictory public statements regarding the incident. This legislation is referred to as the "Right to Speak Your Truth Act," emphasizing the importance of allowing individuals to report misconduct without fear of retaliation through defamation claims.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 12-651.01