SB1669
SB1669: Changes to Evidence Rules in Sexual Offense Cases
In one sentence
This law changes the rules for when a judge can allow evidence about a victim's past sexual activity by requiring proof of physical injury instead of trauma.
What it does
- Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-1421 regarding evidence in sexual offense cases.
- Changes the list of allowed evidence to require showing the source or origin of physical injury, rather than trauma, when admitting specific instances of a victim's prior sexual conduct.
- Keeps existing rules that ban evidence about a victim's reputation for chastity or opinions on their chastity.
- Maintains requirements for judges to hold hearings before allowing any evidence of prior sexual conduct at trial.
Who it affects
- Judges who decide if specific evidence can be used in court
- Prosecutors and defense attorneys handling cases involving sexual offenses under Title 13, Chapter 20 or related sections
- Victims involved in prosecutions for crimes covered by the amended statute
Limits and unknowns
- The bill becomes effective on the general effective date but does not specify a calendar day.
- The text does not explain how courts will define or distinguish between trauma and physical injury in practice beyond the statutory change.
- There is no information provided about whether this change applies to cases that started before June 2026.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Admissible evidence
- Information that a judge allows to be presented at trial.
- Physical injury
- Harm or damage done to the body, which is now required instead of 'trauma' for certain types of evidence regarding prior sexual conduct.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
SB1669 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet Assigned to JUDE������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ FOR COMMITTEE ARIZONA STATE SENATE Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1669 sexual offenses; victim; evidence Purpose Requires evidence of a victim's specific sexual activity to show the source or origin of physical injury, rather than trauma, when considering whether such evidence relating to the victim's prior sexual conduct is admissible. Background Statute limits the admissibility of evidence relating to a victim's prior sexual conduct in prosecutions for sexual offenses. Evidence relating to a victim's reputation for chastity and opinion evidence relating to a victim's chastity are not admissible. Evidence of specific instances of a victim's prior sexual conduct may be admitted only if a judge finds that the evidence is relevant, material to a fact in issue and that its inflammatory or prejudicial nature does not outweigh its probative value. Such evidence is limited to specific categories, including: 1) evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct with the defendant; 2) evidence showing the source or origin of semen, pregnancy, disease or trauma; 3) evidence supporting a claim that the victim has a motive in accusing the defendant; 4) evidence offered for impeachment if the prosecution places the victim's prior sexual conduct in issue; and 5) evidence of false allegations of sexual misconduct made by the victim against others. Evidence of prior sexual conduct may not be referred to in any statements before a jury or introduced at trial without a court order following a hearing on written motions to determine admissibility. If new information arises during trial that may make such evidence admissible, the court may conduct a hearing to determine admissibility. The standard for admissibility is clear and convincing evidence ( A.R.S. � 13-1421 ). There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. Provisions 1. Requires evidence of a victim's specific sexual activity to show the source or origin of physical injury, rather than trauma, when considering whether such evidence relating to the victim's prior sexual conduct is admissible. 2. Becomes effective on the general effective date. Prepared by Senate Research February 16, 2026 ZD/MY/ci
Official activity
Bill history
- Governor signedSenate
- Transmitted to SenateSenate
- House third read passedHouse
- House minority caucusHouse
- House majority caucusHouse
- House consent calendarHouse
- House second readHouse
- House Rules: C&PHouse
- House Judiciary: DPHouse
- House first readHouse
- Transmitted to HouseHouse
- Senate third read passedSenate
- Senate minority caucusSenate
- Senate majority caucusSenate
- Senate consent calendarSenate
- Senate second readSenate
- Senate Rules: PFCSenate
- Senate Judiciary and Elections: DPSenate
- Senate first readSenate