Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2112 into law this afternoon, enacting one of the most controversial age-verification measures in the country despite sustained opposition from civil liberties groups, internet freedom advocates, and Arizona residents.

The new law will require websites with content deemed “harmful to minors” to implement age-verification systems for users in Arizona. HB2112 is set to go into effect 90 days after the state legislature adjourns.

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has been at the forefront of efforts to block the bill since its introduction in January, testifying at multiple hearings and organizing a broad coalition that included the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Woodhull Foundation, Fight for the Future, and numerous reproductive rights and LGBTQ advocacy organizations.

FSC’s Director of Public Policy, Mike Stabile, spent months in Phoenix lobbying against the bill. His advocacy reportedly helped secure near-unanimous Democratic opposition and was pivotal in defeating a similar measure—HB2586—last session, as well as halting SB1341 in committee earlier this year.

“We are certainly disappointed that the Governor signed HB2112,” said Stabile in a statement. “But we will continue to fight for the rights of Arizonans to access the internet without fear of censorship or surveillance.”

In the days following the legislature’s approval of the bill, the Governor’s office was inundated with emails and phone calls from constituents demanding a veto. Despite this public outcry, Governor Hobbs opted to sign the measure, citing concerns about minors’ exposure to explicit material online.

Critics argue the bill infringes on constitutional rights and poses serious privacy risks by requiring users to submit personal information for access to lawful content. Opponents warn it could lead to a chilling effect on digital expression and disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including LGBTQ youth.

Arizona joins a growing list of states—including Texas, Louisiana, and Utah—that have enacted similar laws in recent years. These efforts are part of a broader national trend pushing for online age-verification laws, though many are now facing legal challenges on First Amendment and privacy grounds.

The FSC says it has successfully stopped similar legislation in Colorado and New Mexico this year and remains active in combating age-verification bills in more than a dozen other states.

“While the optics of opposing such bills are difficult—especially in conservative states—many lawmakers stood up for civil liberties and against government overreach,” said Stabile. “We built a powerful coalition in Arizona and will continue to resist censorship here and across the country.”

For continued updates on legislative efforts and advocacy campaigns, the Free Speech Coalition encourages supporters to visit the Free Speech Action Center.