On Feb. 2, 2026, the Arizona House of Representatives approved House Bill 2665, known as Cade’s Law: If You See Something Say Something, which expands manslaughter laws to cover adults who intentionally encourage minors to die by suicide through directed online communication.
The legislation addresses concerns about the impact of social media and online platforms on teen mental health. Teen suicide is reported as the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 10 to 24, with rates increasing alongside the rise of social media platforms. The bill aims to add protections for minors in digital spaces.
House Bill 2665 was sponsored by State Representative Pamela Carter, a Republican representing Arizona’s 4th Legislative District in Phoenix. According to Carter, “Two years ago, I met with the mother of Cade Keller, a talented 16-year-old who loved welding and had just started at Mesa Community College. On March 12, 2022, Cade posted on Instagram that he planned to take his life and shared it with peers. No one called 911. Cade’s mom found him the next morning after he died by suicide. Arizona law already punishes providing the physical means, but it has left a gap when an adult uses targeted online messages to push a child toward suicide. Cade’s Law closes that gap. If you are 18 or older and you knowingly encourage a minor who intends to die by suicide, you should face serious criminal consequences. Kids in crisis need help immediately, not spectators and not online predators. This is the companion bill to HB 2666 to punish the sexual extortion of our kids under 18 online.”
The bill targets adults over age 18 who use social media or other electronic communications specifically aimed at minors who later die by suicide. It defines “directed communication” as any verbal, written or electronic message specifically aimed at such a minor—including posts or content that identify or tag them—and clarifies that general public commentary or artistic expression not directed at an individual minor is excluded from prosecution under this law.
Carter was elected in 2025 to represent Arizona’s 4th House District as a Republican member of the state legislature, replacing previous representative Laura Terech.
The bill now advances to the Arizona Senate for further consideration.
