HB4006 • 2026

defamation actions; sexual offenses

HB4006 - defamation actions; sexual offenses

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Betty J Villegas, Cesar Aguilar, Lorena Austin, Junelle Cavero, Patty Contreras, Quantá Crews, Brian Garcia, Sarah Liguori, Aaron Márquez, Christopher Mathis, Mae Peshlakai, Mariana Sandoval, Stephanie Simacek, Stephanie Stahl Hamilton
Last action: 2026-02-10
Official status: House second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide an effective date, only that the bill passed the legislature and reached final enrollment as of February 10, 2026.

HB4006: Right to Speak Your Truth Act

This law limits when a person accused of sexual misconduct or domestic violence can sue someone for defamation after being named in an accusation.

What This Bill Does

It stops people accused of sexual offenses from using defamation lawsuits to silence accusers, staff members, or third parties who report the abuse.
It allows these lawsuits only if the initial court filing includes documentation and evidence proving specific conditions are met.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are accused of sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or domestic violence.
Individuals who report these offenses to staff members or third parties.
Courts handling defamation cases involving allegations of the listed crimes.

Terms To Know

Defamation action: A lawsuit filed by someone claiming that false statements damaged their reputation.
Impeached in a courtroom proceeding: When evidence or testimony proves a witness is not telling the truth during a trial regarding specific facts.

Limits and Unknowns

The law does not state when this new rule will officially take effect.
It only applies to cases where documentation and evidence are included in the very first court filing.

Bill History

2026-02-10 House
House second read
2026-02-09 House
House Rules: None
2026-02-09 House
House Judiciary: None
2026-02-09 House
House first read

Official Summary Text

HB4006 - defamation actions; sexual offenses

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB4006 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
defamation actions; sexual offenses

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 4006

Introduced by

Representatives
Villegas: Aguilar, Austin, Cavero, Contreras P, Crews, Garcia, Liguori,
M�rquez, Mathis, Peshlakai, Sandoval, Simacek, Stahl Hamilton

AN
ACT

amending title 12, chapter 6, article 6,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-651.01; relating to libel
and slander.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 12, chapter 6, article 6,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 12-651.01, to read:

START_STATUTE
12-651.01.

Defamation actions; sexual offenses

A. a person who is accused of sexual
misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic
violence may not use a defamation action to silence or retaliate against the
accusing person or a staff member or third party reporting the sexual
misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic
violence, including cases where the alleged perpetrator is publicly named.

b. Defamation actions where an
accuser is publicly named by a person or a staff member or third person
reporting alleged sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual
harassment or domestic violence may be brought for cases where cited
documentation and evidence can establish within the initial court filing one or
more of the following:

1. The claimed act in the reported
accusation was a factual impossibility for the accused to have perpetrated.

2. The accuser has been impeached in
a courtroom proceeding regarding the same alleged facts as in the present
reported accusation.

3. The accuser has publicly made
contrary statements involving relevant, material facts regarding the present
reported incident.

4. The accuser has publicly stated
that the present reported incident did not occur.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Short title

This act may be cited as the
"Right to Speak Your Truth Act".