To:
Arizona State Legislature - 57th Legislature
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs
Arizona Attorney General
1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007

Title: Arizona Children's Protection from Grooming and Sexual Exposure Act - Amendment to Strengthen A.R.S. § 13-1430, § 13-1410, § 13-3553

We, the undersigned residents of Arizona, demand stronger protections for Arizona children.

WHEREAS Arizona took a critical step with HB2310 in May 2024 creating A.R.S. § 13-1430 - Grooming, but enforcement gaps remain, and predators still manipulate children into believing they consented;

WHEREAS Under current Arizona law A.R.S. § 13-1410 defines child molestation as intentionally or knowingly engaging in or causing a person to engage in sexual contact with a child under 15, and A.R.S. § 13-1405 covers sexual conduct with a minor — but Arizona needs explicit language that a child being made to touch an adult is the SAME crime;

WE THEREFORE PETITION THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO ENACT:

Strengthen A.R.S. § 13-1430 (Grooming)
Amend to include any pattern of gaining trust, isolating, desensitizing to sexual content, or giving gifts/favors to a minor, guardian, or person believed to be a minor for sexual purposes — whether in person, through a third party, or via electronic device. No exception for "no sexual act occurred yet." This should remain a Class 4 Felony, Class 2 if the offender is in a position of trust.

Close the Loophole on "Causing a Child to Touch the Adult"
Amend A.R.S. § 13-1410 and § 13-1405 to explicitly state:
"When a minor is coerced, groomed, manipulated, or instructed to touch, fondle, or sexually pleasure the genitals, anus, or intimate parts of another person for sexual gratification, it shall be charged and punished as if the adult touched the minor. Consent of the minor is not a defense."

Absolute No-Consent Defense for Arizona
Codify that under Arizona law, a child under 18 cannot consent to sexual contact, sexual exposure, or to being exposed to sexual content/conduct. A claim that the child was willing, initiated, or pleasured the assailant shall never be a defense in Arizona courts.

Prohibit All Sexual Exposure to Minors
Prohibit knowingly exposing a minor to sexual content, sexual acts, pornography, or lewd conduct in person or via electronic means (text, image, video, live stream) — punishable under A.R.S. § 13-3553 and § 13-3554.

Arizona Enhanced Penalties
A. Classify all violations under Dangerous Crimes Against Children A.R.S. § 13-705 when victim is under 15.
B. Mandate lifetime sex offender registration.
C. Prohibit plea reduction from a sexual offense to a non-sexual offense when victim is a minor.
D. Require grooming prevention education in Arizona K-12 schools.

We, as Arizona parents and citizens, believe no child can ever be blamed for being groomed into touching their abuser. That is still abuse.