HB 2589 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

unlawful exposure; minors; drag show

HB 2589 makes it a class 4 felony to knowingly allow a minor under one's custody or control to view a drag show performance, enter a venue hosting such a performance, or perform a drag show in front of a minor. The bill defines "drag show performance" as in-person shows featuring exaggerated gender expression, sexual content, or material deemed "harmful to minors" under existing law. It directly affects parents, guardians, venue operators, and performers who permit minors to attend or participate in such events. The law imposes criminal penalties for these specific actions, classifying violations as felonies with potential imprisonment.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 20, 2026 Last action Mar 25, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Version House Engrossed Version (02/25/2026) · 3 edits · Feb 25, 2026
MINOR
The bill was amended to replace specific references to 'drag show performances' with the broader legal term 'adult oriented performances' and to align the definitions with existing obscenity laws. This change expands the bill's scope from targeting only drag shows to covering any performance that appeals to a prurient interest in sex or depicts sexual activities, thereby broadening the types of events subject to the new restrictions.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded from exclusively regulating drag shows to regulating all 'adult oriented performances' as defined by state obscenity standards.
DEFINITION

The specific definition of 'drag show performance' was removed and replaced with the statutory definition of 'adult oriented performance', which includes content appealing to a prurient interest in sex or depicting sexual activities.

SCOPE

The bill now applies to all adult oriented performances rather than being limited to drag shows, increasing the range of events that could be restricted.

REQUIREMENT

The language regarding the intent of the prohibited acts was changed from 'knowingly' doing them to 'intentionally' doing them.

Floor votes · House Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

3122
Passed · 7 other
Total votes 60
Feb 25, 2026
D Democratic27
22 Nay 5
81% Nay
R Republican33
31 Yea 2
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
DPA
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
DP
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Michael Way
Michael Way
RRepublican
AZ
15