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Bill raising penalties for sexual misconduct with minors passes Arizona House

the floor of the arizona house of representatives
The floor of the Arizona House of Representatives at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a billthat would raise penalties for adults who have sex with minors.

The bill makes the offense a Class 4 felony for someone over 20 years old who has sex with a minor who is at least 15. Currently it is set as a Class 6.

Republican Rep. Quang Nguyen authored the bill.

"As of right now you can commit sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old and get a slap on the wrist Class 6 felony. Usually they are being plead down to a Class 1 misdemeanor," Nguyen said.

Sexual misconduct with those under 15 still carries a higher punishment.

The bill now goes to the Arizona Senate.

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Greg Hahne started as a news intern at KJZZ in 2020 and returned as a field correspondent in 2021. He learned his love for radio by joining Arizona State University's Blaze Radio, where he worked on the production team.