adequate provocation; unavailability; transgender; gay

HB 2358 prohibits defendants from claiming "justification" for violence based on a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, including situations where the victim made an unwanted romantic advance or the parties were dating. It specifically removes these factors from the legal definition of "adequate provocation" in Arizona law. The bill directly affects criminal cases where defendants might otherwise argue such discoveries as a reason for violent acts. This is a policy change clarifying that LGBTQ+ identity cannot be used to excuse violence in court.