ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs child sex doll prohibition bill

May 23, 2023, 4:00 PM | Updated: 4:01 pm

(Photo: Hunter Marrow/Cronkite News)

(Photo: Hunter Marrow/Cronkite News)

PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill Monday that prohibits sex dolls that can exhibit the face of a real child.

The legislation, sponsored by Republican Rep. Quang Nguyen, establishes class 4 felony criminal offenses for the possession, trafficking and importation child sex dolls.

The measure also changes the existing class 2 felony offense of sexual exploitation of a minor to include conduct involving child sex dolls that use the face, image or likeness of a real infant or minor under the age of 12.

Nguyen’s legislation defined “child sex doll” as an anatomically correct doll that has features that resemble an infant or a child who is under 12 years old and is intended to be used for sexual simulation or gratification. At least five other states are attempting similar legislation.

“Of all the horrible things, I never expected to learn that there are sex dolls made to resemble the likeness of children,” Nguyen said. “These dolls are a gateway to victimizing children, serving no value or purpose other than feeding some individuals’ dangerous desire to molest young children. We live in a civilized nation, and there’s no room for such an extreme perversion to exist – children must be protected. As Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, I am proud to lead on judicial issues and to have introduced other legislation to minimize crimes against children.”

The issue was brought to Nguyen’s attention by Pinal County officials, who said law enforcement has increasingly encountered individuals in possession of these objects, but currently have no authority in which to charge suspects in connection to them.

The FBI issued an alert in February 2023 on the issue.

The bill received strong bipartisan support, passing the House with a vote of 58-0.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(AP Photo/John Locher) Follow @KTAR923...

KTAR.com

Construction of apartment complex in Peoria to begin later this year

A Scottsdale-based real-estate development company has secured land in Peoria and plans to build an apartment complex.

17 hours ago

(Facebook File Photo/Phoenix Police Department)...

KTAR.com

1 person killed, 9 injured in 5-vehicle crash in west Phoenix

One person was killed and nine were injured in a five-vehicle crash that took place in west Phoenix on Saturday afternoon.

17 hours ago

(TwitterPhoto/arizonadot)...

KTAR.com

ADOT updates progress on I-17 Improvement Project

Crews continue to alter the look of 23 miles of freeway between Anthem and Sunset Point as part of the I-17 Improvement Project.

17 hours ago

President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the budget deal that lifts the federal debt limit and a...

Associated Press

Biden signs debt ceiling bill that pulls US back from brink of unprecedented default

President Joe Biden signed legislation on Saturday that lifts the nation’s debt ceiling, averting an unprecedented default on the federal government’s debt.

17 hours ago

Retired Phoenix Police Capt. Carroll Cooley demonstrates Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at the Phoenix ...

Associated Press

Retired Phoenix police officer in landmark Miranda rights case dies at 87

Retired Phoenix Police Capt. Carroll Cooley, the arresting officer in the landmark case partially responsible for the Supreme Court's Miranda rights ruling, has died.

17 hours ago

(Facebook File Photo/Phoenix Police Department)...

KTAR.com

Phoenix police investigate shooting that left 2 dead, 1 injured

Phoenix police are investigating a shooting that left two people dead, one injured and closed down Bell Road on Saturday morning.

17 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signs child sex doll prohibition bill