Arizona Legislature resolution calls pornography a public health crisis

PHOENIX – Legislators in Arizona have targeted pornography as a “public health crisis” and an “addiction” and approved a resolution advising development of recovery programs.

The Republican Senate approved House Concurrent Resolution 2009 on Monday, weeks after the House had done so.

Rep. Michelle Udall (R-Mesa) was the primary sponsor of the resolution, first read in the House on Feb. 5.

The Republican-backed bill denounced pornography as leading to “low self-esteem, eating disorders and an increase in problematic sexual activity” in children, and that it “normalized violence and the abuse of women and children.”

Thanks to Representative @michudall @azfamcouncil and #azleg for recognizing pornography for the health crisis it is. HCR 2009 acknowledges the harmful effects pornography has on AZ children and families – resolves to prevent exposure and addiction.

— Center for AZ Policy (@azpolicy) May 6, 2019

The bill said to counteract the detrimental effects, the state and the country “must systemically prevent exposure and addiction to pornography, educate individuals and families about its harms.”

Rep. Pamela Powers Hannley (D-Tucson) sponsored a bill focused on “medically accurate and age-appropriate” sex education in schools.

It was one of several bill introduced this year that would alter sex-education requirements in schools.

Research-based nonprofit Fight the New Drug said 11 other states had passed similar measures that declared porn a public health crisis, including Arkansas, Florida, Idaho and Utah.

hcr2009h

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