AZ SB1001

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1804 to modify the theft by extortion statute relating to exposing secrets or facts that tend to subject someone to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or business harm.

Specifies that exposure threats via social media messages (as defined in § 16-901) or any other manner are covered under the extortion statute.

Adds a defense provision stating that threats based on a plausible claim of right to the property or services obtained or sought to be obtained are not prosecutable as extortion.

Maintains the classification of theft by extortion as a class 4 felony, with the exception that theft by extortion involving threats of deadly weapons or serious physical injury remains a class 2 felony.

Approved by the Governor on May 27, 2022.