Age of Consent Laws by State: Statutes, Protections and Reporting

Every US state, the District of Columbia and the federal government have criminal statutes that protect minors from sexual abuse and exploitation by setting ages below which a young person's apparent agreement is not a defense. There is no single national age of consent. Each jurisdiction writes its own rules, and most use several age bands rather than one number. This page summarizes how those statutes are structured, links each one to its official source, and lists where to report concerns.

To report a concern: if a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) can help you figure out where and how to report. Online exploitation can be reported to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678. State reporting lines are listed in the reporting section below.

Information last verified on 2026-09-26. This article has not yet been reviewed by a licensed lawyer. It is legal-reference information, not legal advice.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers the criminal statutes of all 50 US states and the District of Columbia that protect minors on the basis of age, plus the federal statutes in 18 U.S.C. chapters 109A and 117. It describes statutory structure only. It does not cover civil law, marriage law, or other countries. For Canada, see age of consent in Canada.

What "age of consent" means in US law

"Age of consent" is not a single statutory term. It is shorthand for the ages written into a jurisdiction's criminal sexual-offense statutes. Below those ages, the law treats a minor as unable to give legally effective consent, so the minor's apparent agreement does not prevent the offense from applying.

The purpose of these statutes is protective. They exist to shield young people from sexual exploitation and abuse by older persons, and many states say so directly in their text. Florida's statute on offenses involving persons under 16, for example, provides that "the victim's consent is not a defense" (Fla. Stat. § 800.04(2)). New York states that a person is "incapable of consent" when "less than seventeen years old" (N.Y. Penal Law § 130.05(3)(a)).

These laws are state law. Each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia has its own code, its own offense names (statutory rape, sexual abuse of a minor, criminal sexual conduct, carnal knowledge, and others) and its own age bands. A federal statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2243, sets ages too, but it applies only within federal jurisdiction. Federal law is covered in its own section below.

For this page, we report one comparable figure per jurisdiction: the age at which a person is no longer protected by any general age-based sexual-offense statute, whatever the other person's age. "General" here means statutes that turn on age alone, not the separate offenses for force, incapacity, or positions of trust and authority. Where the oldest protected band applies only against older partners (for example, Florida protects 16- and 17-year-olds against persons 24 or older), the figure is the top of that band, and the condition is stated in the state summary. This is why several states that are often described as "16" states appear here as 18.

Why most states cannot be reduced to one number

Of the jurisdictions researched for this page, only the District of Columbia has a simple two-band structure. Every other jurisdiction layers several of these features:

• Age bands for the minor. Many states draw lines at 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, with a different offense or grade for each band.
• Age-difference elements. Some offenses apply only where the older person is a stated number of years older. When the difference is written into the offense definition, it is an element the prosecution must prove.
• Minimum ages for the older person. Some offenses apply only where the older person is at least 16, 18, 19, 21 or another stated age. Nebraska and Missouri use actor ages rather than year gaps.
• Affirmative defenses. In some states, an age difference within a stated range is a defense the accused must raise. It does not appear in the offense definition.
• Penalty grading. In California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire (for penetration offenses), Ohio, Utah (for actors 18 or older), Virginia and Wisconsin, the age difference changes only the grade or sentence. The offense still applies. These provisions are not exceptions and do not make the conduct lawful.
• Registration relief. Florida allows a person not more than 4 years older to seek removal of a sex-offender registration requirement in limited circumstances. That is post-conviction relief, not a defense.
• Positions of trust and authority. Most states protect minors up to 18 against parents, guardians, teachers, coaches and others with authority, and several protect enrolled students past 18.

Because of this layering, a single number can mislead. The table below gives the comparable figure, and the state-by-state section that follows describes each jurisdiction's tiers in the statute's own terms.

Age of consent by state: summary table

Every verified row below was checked against the official state code or legislature site on 2026-09-26. The jurisdiction name links to the official statute. "Protected regardless of age difference below" is the age below which the main offense applies without any age-difference condition; a minimum age for the older person may still apply, as noted. Summaries simplify, and the statute text controls.

In the third column, provisions that change only the grade or sentence do not lower the figure, because the offense still applies at every age difference. A minimum age for the older person is shown in parentheses.

State-by-state statutory structure

Each summary below describes the protected age bands in the statute's terms, with the controlling sections. Summaries omit some elements, defenses and exclusions; the linked statute text controls.

Alabama

State page: Alabama age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 16 (Ala. Code § 13A-6-62).

• Under 12: rape and sodomy in the first degree, and sexual abuse of a child less than 12, where the other person is 16 or older (§ 13A-6-61, § 13A-6-63, § 13A-6-69.1).
• 12 to 15: rape and sodomy in the second degree, where the other person is 16 or older and at least 2 years older (§§ 13A-6-62, 13A-6-64). For sexual contact with a minor 13 to 15, sexual abuse in the second degree applies where the other person is 19 or older (§ 13A-6-67).
• School students under 19 (protected-person students under 22): offenses by school employees, for which consent is not a defense (§ 13A-6-81, § 13A-6-82).

Alaska

State page: Alaska age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 16 (AS 11.41.434 to 11.41.470).

• Under 13: sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree (penetration) or second degree (contact) where the other person is 16 or older. Where the other person is under 16, the offense requires an age difference of at least 3 years (AS 11.41.434(a)(1), 11.41.436(a)(2) and (a)(7), 11.41.440(a)(1)).
• 13 to 15: second-degree (penetration) or third-degree (contact) offenses where the other person is 17 or older and at least 4 years older (AS 11.41.436(a)(1), 11.41.438(a)).
• Under 16: offenses by a person 18 or older in a position of authority, or a household member with authority (AS 11.41.434(a)(3), 11.41.436(a)(5)).
• 16 and 17: offenses by a person 18 or older who is in a position of authority and at least 3 years older (AS 11.41.436(a)(6), 11.41.440(a)(2)). AS 11.41.470(6) lists the roles, including teachers, coaches, youth leaders, employers, religious leaders, doctors, nurses and psychologists.
• Under 18: offenses by a parent, stepparent, adoptive parent or legal guardian who is 18 or older (AS 11.41.434(a)(2), 11.41.436(a)(3)).

Arizona

State page: Arizona age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 18 (A.R.S. § 13-1405).

• Under 15: sexual conduct with a minor is a class 2 felony and a dangerous crime against children, and molestation of a child covers sexual contact (§ 13-1410). Sexual conduct with a minor 12 or under who suffers serious physical injury is a class 1 felony.
• 15 to 17: sexual conduct with a minor is a class 6 felony, a class 4 felony where the other person is more than 60 months older and older than 21, and a class 2 felony where the other person is or was in a position of trust (§ 13-1405(B)). "Position of trust" is defined to include parents, relatives, teachers and school staff, coaches, clergy and employers (§ 13-1401).
• Close-in-age: an affirmative defense applies for a minor 15 to 17 where the defendant was under 19 or attending high school and no more than 24 months older (§ 13-1407(E)).

California

State page: California age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 18 (Cal. Penal Code § 261.5).

• Under 18: unlawful sexual intercourse applies regardless of the other person's age. The age difference changes only the grade: a misdemeanor where the parties are within 3 years of age, a misdemeanor or felony where the minor is more than 3 years younger, and a misdemeanor or felony where the other person is 21 or older and the minor is under 16 (§ 261.5(b) to (d)). These grading rules are not a defense.
• Under 14: lewd or lascivious acts, a felony, with no condition on the other person's age (§ 288(a)).
• 14 and 15: lewd or lascivious acts where the other person is at least 10 years older (§ 288(c)(1)).
• Because the general age is 18, California has no separate position-of-authority age ceiling for these offenses.

Colorado

State page: Colorado age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 17 (C.R.S. §§ 18-3-401 to 18-3-405.3).

• Under 15: sexual assault (penetration) and sexual assault on a child (contact) where the other person is at least 4 years older (§§ 18-3-402(1)(d), 18-3-405).
• 15 and 16: sexual assault, a class 6 felony, where the other person is at least 10 years older (§ 18-3-402(1)(e)).
• Under 18: sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, with no age-difference element (§ 18-3-405.3). "Position of trust" includes parents, guardians and anyone charged with a child's health, education, welfare or supervision, "no matter how brief" (§ 18-3-401(3.5)).

Connecticut

State page: Connecticut age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 16 (Conn. Gen. Stat. ch. 952).

• Under 13: sexual assault in the first degree (intercourse) or fourth degree (contact) where the other person is more than 2 years older (§§ 53a-70(a)(2), 53a-73a(a)(1)(A)).
• 13 to 15: sexual assault in the second degree (intercourse) where the other person is more than 3 years older. For sexual contact, the fourth-degree offense covers ages 13 and 14 with the same 3-year element (§§ 53a-71(a)(1), 53a-73a(a)(1)(B)).
• Under 18: second- and fourth-degree offenses by a guardian or person responsible for the minor's welfare, a coach or intensive instructor, or a person 20 or older in a position of power, authority or supervision over a program participant (§§ 53a-71(a)(4), (9), (10); 53a-73a(a)(1)(D), (7), (8)).
• Enrolled students (no age stated): offenses by a school employee of the student's school or district (§§ 53a-71(a)(8), 53a-73a(a)(6)).

Delaware

State page: Delaware age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 18 (11 Del. C. ch. 5, subch. II).

• Under 12: rape in the first degree where the defendant is 18 or older (§ 773(a)(5)).
• Under 14: rape in the third degree where the other person is 19 or older (§ 771(a)(1)).
• Under 16: rape in the third degree where the other person is at least 10 years older (§ 771(a)(1)). Rape in the fourth degree applies regardless of the other person's age, subject to an affirmative defense where the minor is 12 to 15, the defendant is no more than 4 years older, and the other conditions in § 762(d) are met, including the minor's knowing consent as defined in § 231 (§§ 770(a)(1), 762(d)).
• 16 and 17: rape in the fourth degree where the other person is 30 or older (§ 770(a)(2)).
• Under 18 (sexual contact): unlawful sexual contact in the second degree applies to sexual contact with a person under 18, with no age-difference condition (§ 768).
• Positions of trust: sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision protects children under 16 (§§ 778(1)-(2), 778A) and 16- and 17-year-olds (§ 778(3)-(4)). The term covers family and custodial roles, teachers, coaches, child care providers, health professionals, clergy and others (§ 761(e)).

District of Columbia

State page: District of Columbia age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 16 (D.C. Code § 22-3008).

• Under 16: first-degree (sexual act) and second-degree (sexual contact) child sexual abuse where the other person is at least 4 years older (§ 22-3009). Consent is not a defense (§ 22-3011).
• Under 18: first- and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor where the other person is 18 or older and in a "significant relationship" with the minor (§ 22-3009.01, § 22-3009.02). The definition covers relatives, guardians, household members, and employees, contractors and volunteers of schools, religious institutions and youth programs (§ 22-3001(10)).

Florida

State page: Florida age of consent laws.

General age-based protections end at 18 (Fla. Stat. § 794.05).

• Under 12: sexual battery by a person 18 or older is a capital felony (§ 794.011(2)(a)). Lewd or lascivious molestation applies to any offender and is graded by the offender's age (§ 800.04(5)).
• 12 to 15: lewd or lascivious offenses apply to any offender, and consent is not a defense (§ 800.04).
• 16 and 17: unlawful sexual activity with certain minors applies where the other person is 24 or older (§ 794.05(1)).
• Under 18: sexual battery by a person in a position of familial or custodial authority; consent is not a defense (§ 794.011(8)).
• Registration relief: § 943.04354 lets a person not more than 4 years older seek removal of a registration requirement in limited circumstances. It is post-conviction relief, not a defense.

Hawaii

General age-based protections end at 16 (HRS § 707-730).

• Under 14: sexual assault in the first degree (penetration) and third degree (contact), with no condition on the other person's age (§§ 707-730(1)(b), 707-732(1)(b)).
• 14 and 15: the same offenses where the other person is at least 5 years older (§§ 707-730(1)(c), 707-732(1)(c)).
• 16 and 17: sexual assault in the second degree (penetration) and fourth degree (contact) where the other person is at least 5 years older and acting in a professional capacity to instruct, advise or supervise the minor (§ 707-731(1)(d), § 707-733(1)(d)).

Idaho

General age-based protections end at 18 (Idaho Code § 18-6101).

• Under 16: lewd conduct with a minor child applies to any person (§ 18-1508). Rape and sexual abuse of a child under 16 apply where the other person is 18 or older (§ 18-6101(1), § 18-1506). Aggravated lewd conduct offenses added in 2025 apply to persons 18 or older where at least two listed aggravating factors are present (§ 18-1508B, § 18-1508C).
• 16 and 17: rape where the other person is 3 or more years older (§ 18-6101(2)), and sexual battery of a minor child 16 or 17 where the other person is at least 5 years older (§ 18-1508A).
• Positions of trust: the research for this page found no standalone position-of-authority sexual offense for minors in Title 18, chapters 15, 61 and 66. A position of trust or authority is an aggravating factor in §§ 18-1508B and 18-1508C.

Illinois

General age-based protections end at 17 (720 ILCS 5/11-1.50).

• Under 13: predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse where the other person is 17 or older (11-1.40, 11-1.60). Where the other person is under 17, aggravated criminal sexual abuse covers a child under 9 and criminal sexual abuse covers ages 9 to 16 (11-1.60(c)(2)(i), 11-1.50(b)).
• 13 to 16: criminal sexual abuse, a Class A misdemeanor, where the other person is less than 5 years older, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony, where the other person is 5 or more years older (11-1.50(c), 11-1.60(d)). The age difference sets the grade; it is not an exemption.
• Under 18: offenses by a person 17 or older in a position of trust, authority or supervision, and by family members. The criminal sexual assault branch covers ages 13 to 17 (11-1.20); aggravated criminal sexual abuse also covers younger children (11-1.60(b) and (f)).

Indiana

General age-based protections end at 16 (IC 35-42-4).

• Under 14: child molesting applies to any person (IC 35-42-4-3).
• 14 and 15: sexual misconduct with a minor applies where the other person is at least 18 (IC 35-42-4-9). Subsection (e) sets out an affirmative defense limited to a defendant 18 to 20 who is not more than 4 years older and meets several further conditions, including no force and no position of authority.
• Under 18: child seduction by guardians, custodians, stepparents, child care workers, coaches, persons in listed professional relationships, law enforcement officers and workplace supervisors, on the conditions stated in the statute (IC 35-42-4-7).

Iowa

General age-based protections end at 16 (Iowa Code § 709.4).

• Under 14: sexual abuse in the second degree, with no condition on the other person's age (§ 709.3; § 702.5 defines "child"). Indecent contact with a child applies where the other person is 18 or older, or is 16 or 17 and at least 5 years older (§ 709.12).
• 14 and 15: sexual abuse in the third degree where the other person is a member of the same household, a relative within the fourth degree, uses a position of authority to coerce, or is 4 or more years older (§ 709.4(1)(b)(2)).
• Enrolled students (no age ceiling) and minors receiving paid instruction: sexual exploitation by a school employee or by an adult providing training or instruction (§ 709.15).

Kansas

General age-based protections end at 16 (K.S.A. 21-5503 to 21-5512).

• Under 14: rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child apply to any offender (K.S.A. 21-5503(a)(3), 21-5504(b)(1), 21-5506(b)(3)).
• 14 and 15: aggravated indecent liberties, indecent liberties and criminal sodomy apply to any offender (21-5506, 21-5504(a)(3)). Unlawful voluntary sexual relations (21-5507) substitutes a lower severity level where the offender is under 19, less than 4 years older, and the other codified conditions are met. It is a grading provision, not a defense.
• 16 and older (no upper age): unlawful sexual relations covers students of the offender's school, foster children in the offender's foster home, and custodial settings (21-5512).

Kentucky

General age-based protections end at 18 (KRS 510.020).

• Under 12: rape and sexual abuse in the first degree apply to any actor (KRS 510.040, 510.110).
• Under 14: rape and sodomy in the second degree where the actor is 18 or older (KRS 510.050, 510.080).
• Under 16: a person under 16 is incapable of consent (KRS 510.020(3)(a)). Sexual misconduct applies regardless of the other person's age (KRS 510.140). Rape and sodomy in the third degree apply where the actor is 21 or older (KRS 510.060, 510.090). For sexual contact only, second- and third-degree sexual abuse carry defenses where the minor is at least 14 and the actor is either under 18 (§ 510.130(2)) or 18 to 20 and less than 5 years older (§ 510.120(2)) (KRS 510.120, 510.130).
• 16 and 17: rape and sodomy in the third degree where the actor is at least 10 years older (KRS 510.060(1)(b), 510.020(3)(b)).
• Under 18: offenses by a person in a position of authority or special trust, as defined in KRS 532.045, and the grooming offense in KRS 510.160, which covers minors under 18 where the actor holds a position of authority or special trust (§ 510.160(1)(b)). Its other branch covers minors under 14 and adult actors (§ 510.160(1)(a)).

Louisiana

General age-based protections end at 17 (La. R.S. 14:80).

• Under 13: first degree rape, with no age-difference condition (La. R.S. 14:42(A)(4)).
• Under 15: sexual battery where the minor is at least 3 years younger than the offender (14:43.1(A)(2)).
• 13 to 16: felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile where the offender is 17 or older and the age difference is 4 years or more; misdemeanor carnal knowledge where the difference is greater than 2 but less than 4 years (14:80, 14:80.1). Second degree rape covers acts without consent where the difference is 3 years or more (14:42.1(A)(3)).
• Under 17: indecent behavior with juveniles where the age difference is greater than 2 years, including grooming by an offender at least 4 years older (14:81), and molestation of a juvenile, which requires an offender over 17, more than 2 years older, who uses force, duress, intimidation, or influence from a position of control or supervision, with higher penalty ranges for offenders in supervisory roles or educators (14:81.2).
• Students 17 to under 21: prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student at the educator's school where the age difference is greater than 4 years (14:81.4).

Maine

General age-based protections end at 16 (17-A M.R.S. § 254).

• Under 14: gross sexual assault, with no age-difference condition (§ 253(1)(B)). Unlawful sexual contact applies where the actor is at least 3 years older (§ 255-A(1)(E)).
• 14 and 15: sexual abuse of minors where the actor is at least 5 years older (Class D), or at least 10 years older or a close relative (Class C) (§ 254(1)). Unlawful sexual contact applies where the actor is at least 10 years older (§ 255-A(1)(F-2)).
• 16 and 17 (students): sexual abuse of minors where the actor is 21 or older and a teacher, employee or other official in the student's school (§ 254(1)(C)).
• Under 18: gross sexual assault by a parent, stepparent, foster parent, guardian or similar person, or by a person with authority in a children's home, child care facility or youth camp (§ 253(2)(G), (H)).

Maryland

General age-based protections end at 16 (Md. Code, Crim. Law § 3-304).

• Under 13: where first-degree rape (force) or second-degree rape (without consent or incapacity) is committed by a person 18 or older, mandatory minimum sentences apply (§ 3-303(c), (d)(4); § 3-304(b), (c)(2)).
• Under 14: second-degree rape and third-degree sexual offense (contact) where the actor is at least 4 years older (§ 3-304(a)(3), § 3-307(a)(3)).
• 14 and 15: third-degree sexual offense where the actor is 21 or older, and fourth-degree sexual offense where the actor is at least 4 years older (§ 3-307(a)(4) and (5); § 3-308(b), which becomes § 3-308(a) from October 1, 2026).
• Under 18: an offense by a person in a position of authority (school workers 21 or older and program workers 22 or older) involving a student at that school, or a program participant at least 6 years younger. Through September 30, 2026 this is in § 3-308(c); from October 1, 2026 it moves to § 3-308.1. Sexual abuse of a minor by a parent, caregiver, or household or family member is covered by § 3-602.

Massachusetts

General age-based protections end at 16 (G.L. c. 265, § 23).

• Under 14: a child under 14 is "deemed incapable of consenting" to indecent assault and battery (c. 265, § 13B).
• Under 16: rape and abuse of a child, with no condition on the other person's age (§ 23). Larger age differences (more than 5 years with a child under 12, more than 10 years with a child 12 to 15) or commission by a mandated reporter trigger a mandatory minimum sentence (§ 23A). The age difference raises the penalty; it is not a defense.
• 16 and 17: a 2026 law added § 23A½, covering intercourse with a 16- or 17-year-old, and indecent assault and battery on a 14- to 17-year-old, by a mandated reporter who exercises or has exercised custodial or supervisory authority over the child. It does not apply where the defendant is not more than 4 years older (St. 2026, c. 137, § 86).
• Under 18: c. 272, § 4 addresses inducing a person under 18 to have intercourse in narrower circumstances.

Michigan

General age-based protections end at 16 (MCL 750.520d).

• Under 13: criminal sexual conduct in the first degree (penetration), with no age condition (MCL 750.520b(1)(a)).
• 13 to 15: first-degree criminal sexual conduct where the actor is a household member, a relative, a person who used a position of authority to coerce, a teacher or administrator, or school or child-care staff (750.520b(1)(b)). Third-degree criminal sexual conduct (penetration) applies with no age-difference condition (750.520d(1)(a)). Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (contact) applies where the actor is 5 or more years older (MCL 750.520e(1)(a)).
• 16 and 17 (students): third- and fourth-degree offenses by a teacher, substitute teacher or administrator, or by school employees, contractors or volunteers who use that status to gain access (750.520d(1)(e), 750.520e(1)(f)).
• Special-education recipients 16 to under 26, and residents 16 or older of child care organizations and foster homes: offenses by the staff and volunteers the statute lists (750.520d(1)(f) and (g); 750.520e(1)(g) and (h)).

Minnesota

General age-based protections end at 16 (Minn. Stat. § 609.344).

• Under 14: covered at every age difference. Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree applies where the actor is more than 36 months older (§ 609.342), and third or fourth degree applies where the actor is no more than 36 months older (§ 609.344 subd. 1a(a), § 609.345 subd. 1a(a)).
• 14 and 15: third-degree criminal sexual conduct (penetration) where the actor is more than 24 months older; fourth-degree (contact) where the actor is more than 36 months older or in a position of authority (§ 609.344 subd. 1a(b), § 609.345 subd. 1a(b)). First-degree criminal sexual conduct also applies where the actor is in a current or recent position of authority or has a significant relationship (§ 609.342 subd. 1a(f)-(g)).
• 16 and 17: third-degree criminal sexual conduct where the actor is more than 36 months older and in a current or recent position of authority, or where the actor has a "significant relationship" to the complainant, with no age difference required (§ 609.344 subd. 1a(e) to (g); definitions in § 609.341).

Mississippi

General age-based protections end at 16 (Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-65). Mississippi's official code is published through a commercial portal; the text relied on here is the existing-law reprint in the Legislature's own 2026 bills.

• Under 14: statutory rape and sexual battery where the child is 24 or more months younger than the other person (§§ 97-3-65(1)(b), 97-3-95(1)(d)).
• 14 and 15: statutory rape where the other person is 17 or older and the child is 36 or more months younger; sexual battery on the same age-difference condition (§§ 97-3-65(1)(a), 97-3-95(1)(c)). The statute states that the child's consent is not a defense (§ 97-3-65(2)).
• Under 18: sexual battery by a person in a position of trust or authority, a non-exhaustive list that includes teachers, counselors, physicians, clergy, relatives, scout leaders and coaches (§ 97-3-95(2)).

Missouri

General age-based protections end at 17 (RSMo 566.034).

• Under 14: statutory rape in the first degree, with no condition on the other person's age (RSMo 566.032).
• Under 17: statutory rape and statutory sodomy in the second degree where the actor is 21 or older (566.034, 566.064); child molestation in the fourth degree (contact) where the actor is more than 4 years older (566.071).
• Enrolled K-12 students (no age ceiling): sexual contact with a student by teachers, school employees, volunteers, contractor employees and coaches or directors of school-aged teams, clubs or ensembles (566.086).

Montana

General age-based protections end at 16 (MCA 45-5-501).

• Under 16: a person under 16 is incapable of consent (45-5-501(1)(b)(iv)). Sexual intercourse without consent applies without an age-difference element; a difference of 4 years or more raises the penalty range, and separate sentencing and registration provisions apply to offenders 18 or younger under stated conditions (MCA 45-5-503). These are grading provisions, not a defense.
• Under 14 (contact): consent is ineffective for sexual assault where the offender is 3 or more years older (MCA 45-5-502(6)(a)(ii)).
• Students (no age ceiling): a student is incapable of consent with a school employee, contractor or volunteer who has had authority over the student in a school setting; youth care facility staff are covered similarly (45-5-501(1)(b)(vi) and (x)).

Nebraska

General age-based protections end at 16 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-319). Nebraska's statutes use a minimum age for the older person rather than a year gap.

• Under 12: sexual assault of a child in the first degree where the actor is at least 19 (28-319.01(1)(a)).
• 12 to 15: first-degree sexual assault where the actor is 19 or older (28-319(1)(c)), and sexual assault of a child in the first degree where the actor is 25 or older (28-319.01(1)(b)).
• 14 or younger (contact): sexual assault of a child in the second or third degree where the actor is at least 19 (28-320.01).
• Students 16 through 19: sexual abuse by a school worker 19 or older; consent is not a defense (28-316.01).

New Hampshire

General age-based protections end at 16 (RSA 632-A:3).

• Under 13: aggravated felonious sexual assault (penetration or intentional touching) and felonious sexual assault (contact), with no age condition (RSA 632-A:2 I(l), II; 632-A:3 III(a)(1)).
• 13 to 15: penetration is a class B felony where the age difference is 4 years or more, and a class A misdemeanor where it is 4 years or less (632-A:3 II, 632-A:4 I(c)). The age difference changes the grade; it is not an exception. Sexual contact is an offense where the difference is 5 years or more (632-A:4 I(b)). Offenses by household members or relatives are aggravated felonious sexual assault (632-A:2 I(j)).
• 13 to 17: offenses where the actor is in a position of authority and more than 4 years older (632-A:2 I(k)(1), 632-A:3 III(a)(2)).
• Students (no age ceiling): offenses by employees, contractors and volunteers of primary and secondary schools, including up to 10 months after graduation or departure (632-A:2 I(k)(2), 632-A:3 III(a)(3)).
• Under 18: aggravated felonious sexual assault where the actor is a listed relative, including step and adoptive relatives (632-A:2 IV).

New York

General age-based protections end at 17 (N.Y. Penal Law § 130.05).

• Under 17: a person under 17 is incapable of consent (§ 130.05(3)(a)). Sexual misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, applies with no condition on the other person's age (§ 130.20). Rape in the third degree applies where the other person is 21 or older (§ 130.25).
• Under 15: rape in the second degree where the other person is 18 or older, with an affirmative defense where the defendant is less than 4 years older (§ 130.30).
• Under 11, and under 13 where the actor is 18 or older: rape in the first degree (§ 130.35(1)-(3), paragraphs (c)-(d)).
• Under 11, and under 13 where the actor is 21 or older: sexual abuse in the first degree (§ 130.65(3)-(4)).
• Sexual contact: sexual abuse in the second degree covers a person under 14 (§ 130.60); sexual abuse in the third degree carries an affirmative defense where the other person is over 14 and the defendant is less than 5 years older (§ 130.55).
• Custodial, treatment and supervision settings (any age): § 130.05(3)(e) to (k) treat persons as incapable of consent in correctional, residential-care, health-care treatment, police-custody and probation-supervision settings.

North Dakota

General age-based protections end at 18 (N.D.C.C. ch. 12.1-20).

• Under 15: gross sexual imposition applies to an adult actor with no age-difference condition. Since July 1, 2025, where the actor is a minor, the actor must be at least 3 years older (§§ 12.1-20-03, 12.1-20-01(4)).
• 15 to 17: corruption or solicitation of minors (sexual act) and sexual assault (contact) where the actor is an adult and at least 3 years older, graded higher where the adult is 22 or older (§§ 12.1-20-05, 12.1-20-07(1)(f), 12.1-20-01(3)).
• Parents and guardians: sexual assault by a parent, guardian or person responsible for the minor's general supervision (§ 12.1-20-07(1)(e)). Separate offenses cover persons in official custody and therapist relationships at any age.

Ohio

General age-based protections end at 16 (R.C. 2907.04).

• Under 13: rape, with no condition on the offender's age (R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b)).
• 13 to 15: unlawful sexual conduct with a minor where the offender is 18 or older. The age difference changes the grade: a first-degree misdemeanor where the offender is less than 4 years older, a fourth-degree felony otherwise, and a third-degree felony where the offender is 10 or more years older (2907.04). The grading is not a defense.
• Under 18: sexual battery by coaches, instructors, scout leaders, persons with temporary disciplinary control, clergy, higher-education personnel and peace officers more than 2 years older (R.C. 2907.03).
• Any age: sexual battery by parents, stepparents, guardians and custodians, and by teachers, administrators, coaches and others in authority at the school where the other person is enrolled (2907.03(A)(5) to (7)).

Oklahoma

General age-based protections end at 18 (21 O.S. § 1111).

• Under 14: rape in the first degree where the actor is over 18 (§ 1111(A)(1), § 1114(A)(1)).
• Under 16: rape applies with no age-difference bar, as second-degree rape unless first-degree conditions apply (§§ 1111(A)(1), 1114(B)). Lewd or indecent acts apply where the accused is at least 3 years older, or by force or fear (§ 1123(A)).
• 16 and 17: rape in the second degree where the other person is more than 4 years older (§ 1112, as amended in 2025).
• Students under 20: rape by an employee, contractor or subcontractor of a school system who is 18 or older (§ 1111(A)(8)). Separate clauses cover foster parents and persons in state custody.

Oregon

General age-based protections end at 18 (ORS chapter 163).

• Under 18: a person under 18 is incapable of consent (ORS 163.315).
• Under 12: rape in the first degree, with no age-difference defense (ORS 163.375(1)(b)).
• Under 14: rape in the second degree, and sexual abuse in the first degree for contact (ORS 163.365, 163.427).
• Under 16: rape in the third degree (ORS 163.355).
• Under 18: contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor by a person 18 or older (ORS 163.435), sexual misconduct (ORS 163.445), sexual abuse in the third degree (ORS 163.415), and sexual abuse in the second degree by a coach or teacher 21 or older (ORS 163.425(1)(b)).
• Close-in-age: Where lack of consent rests solely on age, ORS 163.345 makes it a defense to many of these offenses, though not rape in the first degree, that the actor was less than 3 years older. For sexual misconduct, the defense applies only if the minor was at least 15.

Pennsylvania

General age-based protections end at 16 (18 Pa.C.S. § 3122.1).

• Under 13: rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault, with no age condition (§ 3121(c), § 3123(b), § 3125(a)(7), § 3126(a)(7)).
• Under 16: statutory sexual assault where the actor is 4 or more years older (a second-degree felony where the difference is 4 to less than 11 years, a first-degree felony where it is 11 years or more) (§ 3122.1). Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault apply on the same 4-year condition (§§ 3123(a)(7), 3125(a)(8), 3126(a)(8)).
• Students, and minors in facilities and programs: institutional sexual assault by school, child-care, facility and law enforcement personnel, and sexual assault by sports officials and nonprofit staff or volunteers; consent is not a defense (§ 3124.2, § 3124.3).

Rhode Island

General age-based protections end at 16 (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-37-6).

• 14 and under: first-degree (penetration) and second-degree (contact) child molestation sexual assault, with no age condition (§ 11-37-8.1, § 11-37-8.3).
• Over 14 and under 16: third-degree sexual assault where the actor is over 18 (§ 11-37-6(b)(1)).
• Over 14 and under 18: third-degree sexual assault by an actor over 18 who has supervisory or disciplinary power over the minor or is otherwise acting in a position of authority. The statute excludes conduct between persons 16 to 20 who are within 30 months of age (§ 11-37-6(b)(2)).

South Carolina

General age-based protections end at 16 (S.C. Code § 16-3-655).

• Under 11: criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree (§ 16-3-655(A)(1)).
• 11 through 14: criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the second degree (§ 16-3-655(B)(1)).
• 14 and 15: second-degree criminal sexual conduct where the actor is in a position of familial, custodial or official authority, or is older than the minor. The statute excludes cases in which the actor is 18 or younger and the conduct was consensual (§ 16-3-655(B)(2)). How the overlapping provisions apply at age 14 is a question of interpretation this page does not characterize.
• Under 16: third-degree criminal sexual conduct for lewd acts where the actor is over 14, with the same exclusion (§ 16-3-655(C)); first-degree where the actor has a listed prior conviction, adjudication or registry order (§ 16-3-655(A)(2)).
• Secondary-school students 16 or older: sexual battery with a student 16 or older enrolled in the school, by administrators, teachers, school bus drivers, counselors, coaches and other listed personnel of that school (§ 16-3-755).

South Dakota

General age-based protections end at 16 (SDCL 22-22-1).

• Under 13: rape in the first degree, with no age condition (SDCL 22-22-1(1)).
• 13 to 15: rape in the fourth degree where the perpetrator is at least 3 years older (SDCL 22-22-1(5)).
• Under 16 (contact): sexual contact with a child under 16 is a Class 3 felony where the actor is 16 or older, graded down to a Class 1 misdemeanor where the child is at least 13 and the actor is less than 5 years older (SDCL 22-22-7); actors under 16 face a Class 1 misdemeanor (22-22-7.3).
• Under 18 (contact): sexual contact by a person 18 or older and at least 5 years older who holds a listed position of authority or is a family member within the fifth degree (SDCL 22-22-7.8).

Utah

General age-based protections end at 18 (Utah Code § 76-5-401).

• Under 14: rape of a child, object rape of a child, sodomy on a child and sexual abuse of a child (§ 76-5-402.1, § 76-5-402.3, § 76-5-403.1, § 76-5-404.1).
• Both persons 12 to 17, or an 18-year-old high-school student and a 13-year-old: a separate offense, unlawful adolescent sexual activity, is graded from a class C misdemeanor to a third degree felony for the combinations of ages the statute lists (§ 76-5-401.3(3)). How it interacts with § 76-5-402.1 when both persons are 12 or 13 is not stated in the statutes and is not characterized here.
• 14 and 15: unlawful sexual activity with a minor where the actor is 18 or older, a third degree felony that can be reduced to a misdemeanor on a proven mitigating factor, such as the actor being less than 4 years older (§ 76-5-401). This is grading, not a defense. Sexual abuse of a minor applies where the actor is 4 or more years older (§ 76-5-401.1).
• 16 and 17: unlawful sexual conduct where the actor is 10 or more years older, or 7 to less than 10 years older and knew or reasonably should have known the minor's age (§ 76-5-401.2).
• Under 18: acts by a parent, guardian or person in a "position of special trust" are treated as without consent (§ 76-5-406(2)(j)); for minors 14 to 17, so are acts where a person more than 3 years older entices or coerces the minor (§ 76-5-406(2)(k)).

Vermont

General age-based protections end at 16 (13 V.S.A. § 3252).

• Under 15: sexual assault and lewd or lascivious conduct with a child (§ 3252(c), § 2602).
• 15: the same offenses apply, except where the other person is under 19 and the act is consensual (§ 3252(c)(2), § 2602(a)(2)). The exception does not reach the family, custodial or position-of-power offenses below.
• Under 16: aggravated sexual assault of a child by a person 18 or older with a listed aggravating circumstance (§ 3253a), and sexual assault by a person 18 or older who lives in the household in a parental role (§ 3252(e)).
• Under 18: sexual assault where the child is entrusted to the actor's care by authority of law, or is the actor's child, grandchild, foster child, adopted child or stepchild (§ 3252(d)), and sexual exploitation of a minor by a person at least 48 months older in a position of power, authority or supervision over minors (§ 3258).

Virginia

General age-based protections end at 18 (Va. Code § 18.2-371).

• Under 13: rape and aggravated sexual battery (§ 18.2-61, § 18.2-67.3).
• 13 and 14: carnal knowledge of a child applies to any person. Where the accused is a minor, the grade is lower (a Class 6 felony where the child is 3 or more years younger, a Class 4 misdemeanor where less than 3), compared with a Class 4 felony otherwise (§ 18.2-63). This is grading, not a defense.
• Under 15: taking indecent liberties with children by a person 18 or older (§ 18.2-370).
• 15 to 17: a Class 1 misdemeanor under § 18.2-371(ii) where the actor is 18 or older.
• Under 18: indecent liberties by a person 18 or older in a custodial or supervisory relationship (§ 18.2-370.1), and aggravated sexual battery by a parent, stepparent, grandparent or stepgrandparent where the minor is 13 to 17 (§ 18.2-67.3(A)(3)).

Washington

General age-based protections end at 16 (RCW 9A.44.079).

• Under 12: rape of a child in the first degree where the other person is at least 24 months older, and child molestation in the first degree where at least 36 months older (RCW 9A.44.073, 9A.44.083).
• 12 and 13: second-degree offenses where the other person is at least 36 months older (9A.44.076, 9A.44.086).
• 14 and 15: third-degree offenses where the other person is at least 48 months older (9A.44.079, 9A.44.089).
• 16 and 17: sexual misconduct with a minor where the other person is at least 60 months older, is in a significant relationship, and abuses a supervisory position; foster parents are also covered (9A.44.093, 9A.44.096).
• Enrolled students 16 to 21: the same offenses by a school employee at least 60 months older.

West Virginia

General age-based protections end at 16 (W. Va. Code § 61-8B-5).

• Under 12: first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual abuse where the actor is 14 or older (§ 61-8B-3, § 61-8B-7).
• Under 16: third-degree sexual assault where the actor is 16 or older and at least 4 years older (§ 61-8B-5(a)(2)); third-degree sexual abuse (contact), with a defense where the defendant was under 16 or less than 4 years older (§ 61-8B-9).
• Under 18: sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust (§ 61-8D-5; definitions in § 61-8D-1).

Wisconsin

General age-based protections end at 18 (Wis. Stat. § 948.09, § 948.093).

• Under 12 and under 13: first degree sexual assault of a child (§ 948.02(1)).
• Under 16: second degree sexual assault of a child, a Class C felony, with no age condition (§ 948.02(2)). Where the child is 15 and the actor is under 19, the conduct is charged instead as underage sexual activity, a Class A misdemeanor (§ 948.093). This is grading, not a defense.
• 16 and 17: sexual intercourse with a child 16 or older is a Class A misdemeanor where the actor is 19 or older (§ 948.09), and underage sexual activity where the actor is under 19 (§ 948.093). Sexual assault by school staff, or by a person 21 or older whose work or volunteer role involves children, is a Class H felony (§ 948.095).

Wyoming

General age-based protections end at 17 (Wyo. Stat. §§ 6-2-314 to 6-2-321).

• Under 13: first- and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor where the actor is 16 or older; third- and fourth-degree where the actor is under 16 and the minor is at least 3 years younger (§§ 6-2-314 to 6-2-317).
• 13 to 15: second-degree (intrusion) and third-degree (contact) offenses where the actor is 17 or older and at least 4 years older (§§ 6-2-315(a)(i), 6-2-316(a)(i)).
• Under 17: third-degree sexual abuse for indecent liberties where the actor is 17 or older and at least 4 years older (§ 6-2-316(a)(iv)).
• Positions of authority: under 16, an actor 18 or older in a position of authority; 16 and 17, an actor 20 or older, at least 4 years older, in a position of authority; under 18, a legal guardian or a relative listed in § 6-4-402. "Position of authority" includes parents, guardians, relatives, household members, teachers, employers, custodians and health care providers (§ 6-2-301).

Jurisdictions not yet verified

For eight states, the current statute text could not be read on an official government host, because the official code is published through a commercial portal or the host blocked access. For North Carolina and Texas, the research located the statutes, but the independent audit could not read the live official text, so both await a manual check. We do not show a number for these states. Please consult the official code:

• Arkansas: Arkansas Code, Title 5, Chapter 14 (Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Law). State page: Arkansas age of consent laws.
• Georgia: Official Code of Georgia, Title 16, Chapter 6 (Georgia General Assembly).
• Nevada: Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapters 200 and 201 (NRS Chapter 200).
• New Jersey: New Jersey Statutes, Title 2C, Chapter 14 (New Jersey Legislature).
• New Mexico: New Mexico Statutes, Chapter 30, Article 9 (New Mexico Legislature).
• North Carolina: General Statutes, Chapter 14, Article 7B (G.S. Chapter 14, Article 7B).
• Tennessee: Tennessee Code, Title 39, Chapter 13, Part 5 (Tennessee General Assembly).
• Texas: Penal Code, Chapters 21 and 22 (Tex. Penal Code ch. 22).

Federal law: 18 U.S.C. § 2243 and related statutes

Federal sexual-abuse statutes do not create a national age of consent. Sections 2241 and 2243(a) and (b) apply within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States (for example, federal lands) and in federal prisons and facilities holding persons in federal custody. Section 2243(c) applies to federal law enforcement officers wherever they act in that capacity.

Section 2241(c) also reaches a person who crosses a state line with intent to engage in a sexual act with a person under 12. Sections 2422(b) and 2423(a) apply to the use of the mail or a facility of interstate or foreign commerce, and to transport in interstate or foreign commerce.

• Under 12: aggravated sexual abuse, with a sentence of not less than 30 years or life, including where a person crosses a state line with intent (18 U.S.C. § 2241(c)).
• 12 to 15: sexual abuse of a minor, within federal jurisdiction, where the minor is at least 4 years younger than the other person (18 U.S.C. § 2243(a)). The age difference is an element of the offense.
• Under 18, interstate and online conduct: it is a federal crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce to persuade, induce, entice or coerce a person under 18 into prostitution or any sexual activity for which a person can be charged with a criminal offense (18 U.S.C. § 2422(b)), or to transport a person under 18 in interstate or foreign commerce with that intent (18 U.S.C. § 2423(a)). Both carry a sentence of not less than 10 years or life.
• Custodial settings (any age): § 2243(b) covers sexual acts with persons in official detention by someone with custodial, supervisory or disciplinary authority over them, and § 2243(c) covers federal law enforcement officers, acting in that capacity, with persons under arrest, supervision, detention or custody.

The federal text on this page is the 2024 edition of the United States Code on govinfo.gov. Amendments enacted in 2025 or 2026 would not appear there and were not checked.

Positions of trust and authority

Almost every jurisdiction reviewed has separate offenses that protect minors from people who hold power over them. These offenses usually apply up to age 18 even where the general age is 16 or 17, and they generally do not depend on any age difference or on the minor's apparent agreement.

The roles covered vary by state but commonly include parents, stepparents and guardians; teachers, school employees and school volunteers; coaches and instructors; clergy and religious leaders; health care providers and counselors; employers; foster parents; and staff of residential, detention and treatment facilities. Some examples from the verified statutes:

• Protections past 18 for students. Alabama protects school students under 19, and protected-person students under 22 (Ala. Code § 13A-6-81). Oklahoma protects students under 20 from school-system employees and contractors (21 O.S. § 1111).
• More student protections past 18. Nebraska protects students 16 through 19 from school workers (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-316.01). Louisiana protects students 17 to under 21 from educators (La. R.S. 14:81.4). Washington protects enrolled students 16 to 21 from school employees (RCW 9A.44.093).
• Student-status protections with no upper age limit. Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas (students 16 and older), Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina (secondary-school students 16 and older) protect enrolled students from school personnel on the basis of student status, with no upper age stated.
• Broad definitions. Colorado's position-of-trust definition covers anyone charged with a child's health, education, welfare or supervision "no matter how brief" (C.R.S. § 18-3-401(3.5)). Minnesota covers a "current or recent position of authority," including within 120 days before the act (Minn. Stat. § 609.341).

Several states also enacted grooming offenses aimed at conduct that precedes abuse, including Kentucky (KRS 510.160), Wyoming (Wyo. Stat. § 6-2-321) and Louisiana (La. R.S. 14:81).

Other laws that protect minors

A state's age of consent governs only the offenses described above. Other criminal laws also protect minors, separately from the offenses above:

• Images of minors. Laws on sexually explicit images of minors are separate from the offenses described on this page and are not governed by a state's age of consent. For how those laws work in each state, see our sexting laws by state guide.
• Positions of trust. The authority and school-employee offenses described above usually protect minors to 18 and, for students, sometimes beyond.
• Force, coercion and incapacity. General sexual-assault statutes apply at every age.

Recent changes, 2024 to 2026

The following enacted changes appear in the verified research. Effective dates are stated as the official sources state them.

Two further changes take effect on January 1, 2027: New Hampshire 2026 Laws ch. 97 revises custodial and probation position-of-authority provisions, and Idaho 2026 Sess. Laws ch. 79 makes a cross-reference correction in §§ 18-1508B and 18-1508C. Neither changes a protected age.

How to report suspected abuse or exploitation

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453, call or text, 24/7. Its counselors can help you figure out where and how to report (childhelphotline.org).
• Child protective services: each state's agency takes reports (see the table below).
• NCMEC CyberTipline: for online sexual exploitation of children, report at report.cybertip.org or call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
• Local law enforcement: suspected sexual abuse of a minor is a crime and can be reported to your local police or sheriff.

Each state's child protective services agency also takes reports. The contacts below are as shown on each agency's official page when checked on 2026-09-26. Where we could not reach the official page, use the national hotline or local law enforcement.

How we researched and verified this page

The values on this page come from a 52-record research dataset built on 2026-09-26, with a few details added after an independent audit reopened the official statute text. Research agents in our AI-assisted editorial pipeline located each jurisdiction's statutes on official state code or legislature sites, recording the verbatim text, URL and retrieval date. A separate verification pass then re-opened every relied-on quote, tried to find errors, applied one uniform definition of the general age, and checked each state's 2024 to 2026 legislative sessions for amendments. Values that could not be confirmed on an official host are marked "not verified" rather than filled in.

Legislatures amend these statutes often, and several of the 2026 session checks were searches rather than section-by-section reviews. Treat each summary as a pointer to the statute, not a substitute for it. Our verification levels are explained on our editorial standards page.

Disclaimer

This page provides general legal information about the criminal statutes of the 50 US states, the District of Columbia and the federal government, as verified on 2026-09-26. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Statutes change, and several changed between 2024 and 2026. Summaries simplify complex provisions, and the statute text controls. For advice about a specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in the relevant state.

Related articles

• Sexting laws by state
• Age of consent in Canada
• Editorial standards and verification levels

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there one national age of consent in the United States?

No. Each state and the District of Columbia sets its own ages in its criminal code. Federal law also sets ages, but 18 U.S.C. § 2243 applies only within federal jurisdiction, such as federal lands and federal prisons. Separate federal statutes on online enticement and transporting a minor (18 U.S.C. §§ 2422(b), 2423(a)) apply where interstate travel or commerce is involved.

What age do most states use?

Of the 42 states and DC verified for this page (43 jurisdictions), general age-based protections end at 16 in 25 jurisdictions, at 17 in 6 (Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, New York and Wyoming) and at 18 in 12 (Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin). Most states also use lower age bands, age-difference rules and position-of-trust offenses, so a single number does not describe any state fully.

How do close-in-age provisions work?

They vary by state. In some states the age difference is part of the offense definition, and in others it is an affirmative defense with conditions. In California, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire (penetration offenses), Ohio, Utah (for actors 18 or older), Virginia and Wisconsin, the age difference changes only the grade or sentence, and the offense still applies. The statute text for each state controls.

Do position-of-trust laws protect people over the age of consent?

Yes, in most states. Offenses involving parents, guardians, teachers, coaches and others in authority usually protect minors up to 18. Some states protect students beyond 18, including Alabama (students under 19), Oklahoma (students under 20), Nebraska (students 16 through 19), Louisiana (students under 21) and Washington (students 16 to 21).

Where can I report suspected child sexual abuse?

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Reports go to your state's child protective services agency or local law enforcement. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) can help you figure out where and how to report. Online exploitation can be reported to the NCMEC CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678.