Another piece of legislation sponsored by Prescott-area State Representative Quang Nguyen has been signed into law.
House Bill 2114 upgrades the penalty for adults over the age of 21 who engage in sexual conduct with a minor aged 15 to 17, increasing the offense from a Class 6 felony to a Class 4 felony when the offender is more than five years older than the victim. The new law also mandates a minimum one-year jail sentence if the offender is granted probation.
Representative Nguyen said, “Adults who target vulnerable teenagers for sex deserve real consequences—not leniency. This law protects minors and makes it absolutely clear that Arizona will not tolerate this deviant predatory behavior. If you’re an adult who thinks it’s acceptable to exploit a 15-, 16-, or 17-year-old, you’re going to face serious prison time.”
The bill received broad bipartisan support in both chambers.