HB 2622 Summary

• Adds harassment offense for taunting or maliciously throwing objects at vulnerable users of public ways (cyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement, emergency responders, and highway workers).

• Creates new crime of endangering vulnerable users by operating a motor vehicle within three feet of them, distracting them, or forcing them off the roadway; violations are class 2 misdemeanors with enhanced penalties for causing serious injury or death.

• Requires law enforcement accident reports to document whether a cited offense contributed to serious injury or death of a vulnerable user of a public way.

• Establishes sentencing requirements for violations causing serious injury or death, including mandatory traffic safety course completion, 100-200 hours community restitution, up to $12,500 fine, and one-year driving privilege suspension (all suspended pending successful completion of requirements).

• Repeals section 28-735 of Arizona Revised Statutes and defines "vulnerable user of a public way" to include pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, wheelchairs users, and farm equipment operators on public roads.