foreign law; sharia law; prohibition

Plain English Breakdown

The official status is 'Vetoed,' meaning the bill did not become law unless overridden.

SB1018: Defining Foreign Law and Prohibiting Specific Practices

This bill proposes to change the legal definition of foreign law to include Sharia law and lists specific harmful practices that courts cannot use in Arizona.

What This Bill Does

• Amends section 12-3101 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the application of foreign laws.
• Defines 'foreign law' as either Sharia law or any legal system other than U.S. and state constitutions, laws, and treaties.
• Includes in this definition religious or cultural practices that allow honor killings, forced marriages, or female genital mutilation.
• Adds to the definition practices involving child abuse, domestic violence justified by culture, polygamy where prohibited, or denial of equal protection.
• States that any conduct violating Arizona criminal law falls under this new definition.

Who It Names or Affects

• Courts handling civil proceedings in Arizona
• People involved in legal cases where foreign laws might be applied

Terms To Know

Sharia law

A religious legal system mentioned specifically as part of the definition of foreign law.

Honor killing

The act of killing a person to restore family honor, which is listed in the bill's prohibited practices.

Limits and Unknowns

• The governor vetoed this bill on June 19, 2026.
• It is unknown if lawmakers will override the veto or if the law will take effect.
• The text does not specify penalties for violating these definitions.

Official Summary Text

SB1018 - foreign law; sharia law; prohibition

Current Bill Text

SB1018 - 572R - S Ver

Senate Engrossed

foreign law; sharia
law; prohibition

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SENATE BILL 1018

AN
ACT

amending section 12-3101, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to the application of foreign laws.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

Section 1. Section 12-3101, Arizona Revised
Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
12-3101.
Definition of
foreign law

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,
"foreign law"
:

1.
Means
either
of the following:

(
a
) Sharia law.

(
b
)
Any
law, rule or legal code or system other than the constitution, laws and
ratified treaties of the United States and the territories of the United States
,
or the constitution and laws of this state.

2. Includes a foreign, religious or
cultural law, custom or practice that allows, condones or excuses any of the
following:

(
a
) The honor
killing of a person or honor-based violence.

(
b
) A forced or
coerced marriage.

(
c
) A marriage
involving a minor that violates a law in this state.

(
d
) Female
genital mutilation or cutting.

(
e
) The
physical punishment of a minor that constitutes abuse pursuant to the laws of
this state.

(
f
) Domestic
violence or spousal abuse that is justified by cultural, religious or family
authority.

(
g
) Restricting
a person's liberty or rights if based on gender, religion or family honor.

(
h
) Denying a
person equal protection or due process.

(
i
) Polygamy
where prohibited by the laws of this state.

(
j
) Any conduct
that violates a criminal law in this state.
END_STATUTE