AZ HB2419

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-2923 to redefine stalking by expanding the conduct that triggers criminal liability to include causing a victim to suffer emotional distress or reasonably fear property damage or injury to themselves, family members, domestic animals, livestock, romantic partners, or household residents.

Adds new methods of stalking conduct including: using electronic devices to surveil a person for 12+ hours continuously or on multiple occasions without authorization, and communicating or causing communication of words, images, or language by electronic mail directed at a specific person without authorization on more than one occasion.

Eliminates the requirement that the victim's fear must be objectively reasonable (what a reasonable person would fear) and replaces it with subjective standards based on what the victim actually suffers or reasonably fears.

Maintains classification of stalking under paragraph 1 as a class 5 felony and paragraph 2 as a class 3 felony, and adds exemptions for constitutionally protected activity and activity authorized by law or the other person.

Adds definition of "emotional distress" as significant mental suffering or distress that may, but does not necessarily require, medical or professional treatment or counseling.