AZ HB2082

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 13-1804 to add a new paragraph 10 to theft by extortion, covering threats to perform acts that do not benefit the person but are calculated to harm another materially regarding their health, safety, business, career, finances, reputation, or relationships.

Creates new section 13-1821 establishing the crime of coercion, defined as compelling or inducing another person to engage in, abstain from, or join conduct or organizations through instilling fear of specified harms.

Coercion covers nine categories of threats including physical injury, property damage, criminal conduct, accusation of crimes, exposure of secrets, labor action, testimony, abuse of public office, and other acts calculated to cause material harm.

Establishes coercion as a class 1 misdemeanor offense.

Maintains existing theft by extortion classifications: class 2 felony for threats involving deadly weapons or serious physical injury, and class 4 felony for other extortion threats.