HB 2582 Summary

• Prohibits Arizona courts from using, implementing, or referring to religious sectarian law (including Sharia Law, Canon Law, Halacha) or foreign law as controlling or influential authority in judicial decisions.

• Makes any judicial decision that relies on religious sectarian law or foreign law void, appealable error, and grounds for impeachment and removal of the judge.

• Applies the restrictions to federal courts sitting in diversity jurisdiction in Arizona.

• Exempts laws based on Anglo-American legal tradition, statutes inherited from Great Britain before the law's effective date, and recognition of traditional marriages.

• Defines "foreign law" as statutes or case law from countries or foreign bodies outside the United States, unless properly ratified as a U.S. treaty, and specifies that "foreign body" includes the United Nations, European Union, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and similar organizations.