Gov. Katie Hobbs signs bill to make purchase of sex from adults a felony

PHOENIX (KYMA) - Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-Ariz.) has signed House Bill (HB) 2720 into law, according to the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition.

HB 2720 is a bill that makes the purchase of sex from adults 18 years or older a felony offense, making Arizona the eighth state across the country to enact it, the coalition said.

The bill's sponsors were State Rep. Selina Bliss (R-District 1) and State Sen. Flavio Bravo (D-District 26), the coalition added.

However, State Rep. Matt Gress (R-District 4) championed a critical amendment, according to the coalition, allowing survivors of sex trafficking to petition the court to have qualifying records sealed.

The coalition also said, "HB 2720 increases accountability for those who seek to purchase sex and helps address one of the driving forces behind exploitation and trafficking."

"This law recognizes two important realities," said Sheri Lopez, President of the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition and a survivor of human trafficking. "First, demand plays a critical role in sustaining exploitation. Second, survivors deserve meaningful opportunities to move forward without records connected to their victimization creating lifelong barriers. HB 2720 is an important step toward both accountability and survivor restoration."

To learn more about the bill, click here.