Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Age of Consent Laws: Statutes, Penalties, Reporting
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited September 30, 2026). · 27 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Pennsylvania's age-based sexual offenses protect a complainant under 13 without any age-difference condition (18 Pa.C.S. 3121(c), 3123(b)) and a complainant under 16 where the person is four or more years older (3122.1, 3123(a)(7), 3125(a)(8), 3126(a)(8)), with separate offenses for listed school, facility, child-care, peace-officer, sports and nonprofit roles that reach students and children under 18 (3124.2, 3124.3); most of the structure is tiered.
To report a concern: if a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services states on its official page: "ChildLine is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-932-0313 to report suspected abuse or neglect." 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.
Information last verified on 2026-09-30. This article has not yet been reviewed by a licensed lawyer. It is legal-reference information, not legal advice.
This page covers Pennsylvania's criminal statutes on sexual offenses involving minors, mainly Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Chapter 31 on sexual offenses, with related provisions in Chapters 30, 43, 59 and 63), the sentencing provisions in 42 Pa.C.S. 9718, and the sex offender registration provisions in 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.14 and 9799.15. Federal law is summarized on the age of consent laws by state hub. The text below was read on the official Pennsylvania General Assembly consolidated statutes site (legis.state.pa.us) on 2026-09-30; direct requests to that site did not respond during the check, so it was read through a text renderer.
This page describes the main age-based sexual offense statutes. Other Pennsylvania statutes also protect minors, and one of them can apply even where none of the offenses described here does.
How Pennsylvania law protects minors by age
Pennsylvania's Chapter 31 offenses set two age lines, 13 and 16, and then separate offenses for listed roles. The table summarizes the main provisions; the under-16 rows are subject to a further condition stated in each section.
| Complainant | Actor | Offense | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | Any person | Rape of a child (3121(c)); involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child (3123(b)) | Felony of the first degree |
| Under 13 | Any person | Aggravated indecent assault (3125(a)(7)) | Felony of the second degree (first degree under 3125(b) where one of (a)(1) to (6) also applies) |
| Under 13 | Any person | Indecent assault (3126(a)(7)) | Misdemeanor of the first degree, or felony of the third degree with listed facts |
| Under 16 | Four but less than 11 years older | Statutory sexual assault (3122.1(a)) | Felony of the second degree |
| Under 16 | 11 or more years older | Statutory sexual assault (3122.1(b)) | Felony of the first degree |
| Under 16 | Four or more years older | Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse (3123(a)(7)) | Felony of the first degree |
| Under 16 | Four or more years older | Aggravated indecent assault (3125(a)(8)) | Felony of the second degree |
| Under 16 | Four or more years older | Indecent assault (3126(a)(8)) | Misdemeanor of the second degree |
| Student, or child under 18 in a listed setting | Person in a listed role | Institutional sexual assault (3124.2); sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association (3124.3) | Felony of the third degree |
Under 13
Section 3121(c) provides that a person commits the offense of rape of a child, a felony of the first degree, "when the person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant who is less than 13 years of age." Section 3123(b) applies the same age element to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child. Sections 3125(a)(7) and 3126(a)(7) provide that aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault apply where "the complainant is less than 13 years of age."
These provisions contain no actor-age or age-difference element.
Under 16
Section 3122.1 makes statutory sexual assault a felony of the second degree where a person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant under the age of 16 and the person is "four years older but less than eight years older than the complainant" or "eight years older but less than 11 years older than the complainant" (subsection (a)), and a felony of the first degree where the person is 11 or more years older (subsection (b)). The section states a further condition in its text, and subsection (a) opens with the words "Except as provided in section 3121."
Sections 3123(a)(7), 3125(a)(8) and 3126(a)(8) apply where the complainant is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant, subject to a further condition stated in each subsection. Section 3123(a)(7) is a felony of the first degree, 3125(a)(8) a felony of the second degree and 3126(a)(8) a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Persons in positions of authority or trust
Section 3124.2 (institutional sexual assault) covers several roles. Under (a.1), employees or agents of correctional, youth development, juvenile detention, licensed residential and mental health facilities are covered, with a stated age ceiling of under 18 in the facility clause. Under (a.2), "a person who is a volunteer or an employee of a school or any other person who has direct contact with a student at a school commits a felony of the third degree when he engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a student of the school." The school clause is written in terms of "a student of the school" and states no age ceiling. Subsection (a.3) covers child-care center volunteers and employees, and (a.4) covers peace officers, with a stated ceiling of under 18 for the child in the peace-officer clause.
Subsection (a.5) provides: "Consent is not a defense to a violation of subsection (a), (a.1), (a.2), (a.3), (a.4) or (a.6)."
Section 3124.3 covers a person who serves as a sports official in a sports program of a nonprofit or for-profit association and engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact "with a child under 18 years of age who is participating in a sports program" of the association (subsection (a)), and a volunteer or employee of a nonprofit association having direct contact with a child under 18 who participates in a program or activity of the association who engages in that conduct with that child (subsection (b)). It is a felony of the third degree.
How the age difference works
The four-year difference in 3122.1, 3123(a)(7), 3125(a)(8) and 3126(a)(8) is written into each offense as an element: the person must be four or more years older than the complainant, and 3122.1 grades the offense by the size of that difference. It is not a separate defense provision. The under-13 provisions and the institutional provisions above use their own conditions.
Other Pennsylvania statutes that protect minors
The following additional statutes apply to minors and can apply even where none of the offenses above does.
- Incest of a minor. Section 4302(b) covers sexual intercourse with a complainant who is an ancestor or descendant, a brother or sister of the whole or half blood, or an uncle, aunt, nephew or niece of the whole blood and who is under 13, or is 13 to 18 and the person is four or more years older. It is a felony of the second degree.
- Corruption of minors. Section 6301(a)(1) applies to a person 18 or older who corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of a minor under 18. It is a misdemeanor of the first degree, and a felony of the third degree where the person, by any course of conduct in violation of Chapter 31, corrupts or tends to corrupt a minor under 18 or aids, abets, entices or encourages the minor in the commission of a Chapter 31 offense. Section 6301(a)(1)(i), the first-degree misdemeanor, can reach conduct that corrupts or tends to corrupt a minor's morals, including sexual conduct that is not otherwise a Chapter 31 offense; it is a morals statute rather than an age-of-consent rule, so the age of consent laws by state hub does not count it.
- Unlawful contact with a minor. Section 6318 covers contact with a minor, meaning an individual under 18, for the purpose of engaging in listed offenses including those in Chapter 31. It carries the grade of the most serious underlying offense or a felony of the third degree, whichever is greater.
- Sexual abuse of children and sexual exploitation. Section 6312 covers causing or permitting a child under 18 to engage in a prohibited sexual act that may be photographed or filmed (subsection (b), felony of the second degree) and the dissemination, possession or viewing of child sexual abuse material (subsections (c) and (d), felony of the third degree for a first offense). Under 6312(d.1)(3), those grades are one grade higher where indecent contact with the child is depicted or the child depicted is under 10 years of age or prepubescent. Section 6320 covers procuring a child under 18 for the purpose of sexual exploitation, a felony of the second degree.
- Indecent exposure. Section 3127 is a misdemeanor of the first degree where the person knows or should have known that any person present is less than 16 years of age.
- Explicit sexual materials. Section 5903(c) and (d) cover disseminating explicit sexual materials to a minor and admitting a minor to a show, a felony of the third degree (second degree with a prior conviction under (c) or (d)).
- Trafficking, sexual servitude and commercial sex. Section 3011 makes trafficking in individuals for sexual servitude a felony of the first degree, with a maximum of 40 years where a minor is subjected to sexual servitude as part of a course of conduct. Section 3013(a)(3) covers engaging in a sex act or performance with an individual under 18 in a commercial sex act with reckless disregard of trafficking, a felony of the second degree for a first offense and of the first degree for a second or subsequent offense. Section 3027(b) makes promoting prostitution of a minor a felony of the first degree, and section 3028 covers patronizing prostitution.
- Sexual extortion. Section 3133 is a felony of the third degree where the actor is at least 18 and the complainant is under 18.
- Endangering welfare of children. Section 4304 covers a parent, guardian or other person supervising the welfare of a child under 18 who knowingly endangers the child by violating a duty of care, protection or support.
See also Pennsylvania sexting laws.
Penalties
Grades are set by each section, and maximum terms and fines by 18 Pa.C.S. 1103 (felonies) and 1104 (misdemeanors) and section 1101. A felony of the first degree carries up to 20 years and a $25,000 fine, second degree up to 10 years and $25,000, third degree up to seven years and $15,000; a misdemeanor of the first degree carries up to five years and $10,000, and of the second degree up to two years and $5,000. Mandatory minimums come from 42 Pa.C.S. 9718 and apply only to the subsections it lists.
| Offense | Grade | Maximum term and mandatory minimum as stated |
|---|---|---|
| Rape of a child (3121(c)) | Felony of the first degree | Up to 40 years (3121(e)(1)); not less than 10 years (9718) |
| Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child (3123(b)) | Felony of the first degree | Up to 40 years (3123(d)(1)); not less than 10 years (9718) |
| Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, complainant under 16 (3123(a)(7)) | Felony of the first degree | Up to 20 years; 9718 lists not less than 10 years where the victim is under 16 |
| Aggravated indecent assault, complainant under 13 (3125(a)(7)) | Felony of the second degree | Up to 10 years; not less than five years (9718) |
| Aggravated indecent assault of a child (3125(b)) | Felony of the first degree | Up to 20 years; not less than 10 years (9718) |
| Aggravated indecent assault, complainant under 16 (3125(a)(8)) | Felony of the second degree | Up to 10 years |
| Statutory sexual assault, four but less than 11 years older (3122.1(a)) | Felony of the second degree | Up to 10 years |
| Statutory sexual assault, 11 or more years older (3122.1(b)) | Felony of the first degree | Up to 20 years |
| Indecent assault, complainant under 13 (3126(a)(7)) | Misdemeanor of the first degree; felony of the third degree if a second or subsequent offense, a course of conduct, or touching of sexual or intimate parts with sexual or intimate parts | Up to five years for the misdemeanor |
| Indecent assault, complainant under 16 (3126(a)(8)) | Misdemeanor of the second degree | Up to two years |
| Institutional sexual assault (3124.2); sports and nonprofit roles (3124.3) | Felony of the third degree | Up to seven years |
| Incest of a minor (4302(b)); sexual exploitation of children (6320); sexual abuse of children under 6312(b) | Felony of the second degree | Up to 10 years |
| Corruption of minors, course of conduct (6301(a)(1)(ii)); child sexual abuse material under 6312(c) or (d), first offense; explicit sexual materials to a minor (5903(c), (d)) | Felony of the third degree | Up to seven years |
| Corruption of minors, other (6301(a)(1)(i)); indecent exposure with a person under 16 present (3127(b)) | Misdemeanor of the first degree | Up to five years |
| Promoting prostitution of a minor (3027(b)); trafficking in individuals (3011(a)(1), (2)) | Felony of the first degree | Up to 20 years (up to 40 years under 3011(b) for a minor subjected to sexual servitude as part of a course of conduct) |
| Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude, individual under 18 (3013(a)(3)) | Felony of the second degree, first offense; first degree, second or subsequent | The statute sets a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $50,000 where the victim was a minor |
| Unlawful contact with a minor (6318) | Same grade as the most serious underlying offense, or felony of the third degree, whichever is greater | Depends on the underlying offense |
Sex offender registration
Registration periods are set by 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.15(a): "An individual convicted of a Tier I sexual offense ... shall register for a period of 15 years," a Tier II offense for 25 years, and a Tier III offense "for the life of the individual." The tiers are listed in 9799.14. Under section 20(1) of Act 10 of 2018, the amended sections apply to an individual who commits an offense on or after December 20, 2012. The lists show the following for the offenses on this page.
| Tier | Offenses listed in 9799.14 |
|---|---|
| Tier I (15 years) | 3124.2(a) and (a.4)(1); 3126(a)(1); 6301(a)(1)(ii); 6312(d); 3011(a)(1) and (2); 3013, including (a)(3) (listed as a whole in (b)(4.2)) |
| Tier II (25 years) | 3122.1(a)(2); 3124.2(a.2) and (a.3); 3124.3; 3126(a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (8); 6318; 6312(b) and (c); 6320; 3011(b); 3027(b); 5903(a)(3)(ii), (4)(ii), (5)(ii) and (6) |
| Tier III (life) | 3121 (rape); 3122.1(b); 3123 (involuntary deviate sexual intercourse); 3124.2(a.1) and (a.4)(2); 3125 (aggravated indecent assault); 3126(a)(7); 4302(b) (incest) |
The tier lists name section 3122.1(a)(2) (Tier II) and section 3122.1(b) (Tier III); section 3122.1(a)(1) does not appear in the 9799.14 lists. The statute text of 9799.14 controls for any other subsection or offense.
Two provisions allow an individual to leave the registry. Under 9799.15(a.2), an individual required to register under subsections (a)(3), (5), (6) and (7) of that section may petition the sentencing court to be exempt after at least 25 years have elapsed, subject to further stated conditions, and the court exempts the petitioner, at its discretion, "only upon a finding of clear and convincing evidence that exempting the sexual offender ... is not likely to pose a threat to the safety of any other person." Under 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.17, an individual adjudicated delinquent for an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be classified under 18 Pa.C.S. 3121, 3123 or 3125 may have the registration requirement terminated where at least 25 years have elapsed and the section's other conditions apply.
Recent changes
Section histories show no amendment to the Chapter 31 offense sections (3121 to 3127) after 2022, but several related provisions changed.
- Act 41 of 2026 (P.L. 492, No. 41). Added 18 Pa.C.S. 3027 (promoting prostitution, including promoting prostitution of a minor as a felony of the first degree) and 3028 (patronizing prostitution), deleted the former promoting and patronizing subsections of section 5902, and amended 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.14(c)(2) to refer to 3027(b). The act was approved July 20, 2026, and section 9 provides: "This act shall take effect in 60 days," which is September 18, 2026.
- Act 22 of 2025. Added 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.14(c)(1.5), listing 18 Pa.C.S. 3124.3 as a Tier II offense, effective June 30, 2025.
- Act 5 of 2025. Added subsection (e) to 18 Pa.C.S. 6301 (a sentencing enhancement for mandated reporters) and amended 6318(a) (unlawful contact with a minor), effective 60 days after June 27, 2025.
- Act 125 of 2024. Amended 18 Pa.C.S. 6312(c), (d), (f)(3) and (g) and added (f)(4) (artificially generated child sexual abuse material), effective 60 days after October 29, 2024.
How to report
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services page on reporting child abuse or neglect states: "ChildLine is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-932-0313 to report suspected abuse or neglect." The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453, call or text) and the NCMEC CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678) are also available.
Disclaimer
This page is general legal information about Pennsylvania criminal statutes as verified on 2026-09-30. It is not legal advice. Statutes change, summaries simplify, and the statute text controls. Anyone with a specific situation should consult a lawyer licensed in Pennsylvania.
Related articles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rape of a child and statutory sexual assault?
Rape of a child (18 Pa.C.S. 3121(c)) applies where the complainant is less than 13 years of age and has no age-difference element. Statutory sexual assault (3122.1) applies where the complainant is under 16 and the person is four or more years older, and its grade depends on the size of the difference.
Does the age differ for school employees and other persons in listed roles?
Section 3124.2(a.2) applies to a volunteer or employee of a school, or any other person with direct contact with a student at a school, and refers to a student of the school without stating an age ceiling. The facility clause (a.1), the peace-officer clause (a.4) and section 3124.3 (sports officials and nonprofit associations) refer to persons under 18.
Where can the statute text be found?
Pennsylvania's consolidated statutes are published by the General Assembly at legis.state.pa.us. Title 18 contains the offenses, and Title 42 contains the sentencing provisions (9718) and the registration provisions (9799.14 and 9799.15).
Updates
Added a note on 18 Pa.C.S. 6301(a)(1)(i), corruption of minors, which can reach conduct that corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of a minor under 18, including sexual conduct that is not otherwise a Chapter 31 offense.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses)
§ 3122.1Statutory sexual assaultIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) Felony of the second degree.--Except as provided in section 3121 (relating to rape), a person commits a felony of the second degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant to whom the person is not married who is under the age of 16 years and that person is either: (1) four years older but less than eight years older than the complainant; or (2) eight years older but less than 11 years older than the complainant. (b) Felony of the first degree.--A person commits a felony of the first degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant under the age of 16 years and that person is 11 or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and the person are not married to each other.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 233 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017, 164 A.3d 1189)“…(2) 18 Pa.C.S. §3121 (relating to rape). (3) 18 Pa.C.S. §3122.1(b) (relating to statutory sexual assaul…”
- Commonwealth v. Albert (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2000, 563 Pa. 133)“…ent on the following four counts: statutory sexual assault, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3122.1, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse…”
- Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Shower, W. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2016, 637 Pa. 208)“…rcourse, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3123(a)(7), statutory sexual assault, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3122.1(a), and indecent assault, 18 Pa.C.S. §…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
§ 3123Involuntary deviate sexual intercourseIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a felony of the first degree when the person engages in deviate sexual intercourse with a complainant: (1) by forcible compulsion; (2) by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution; (3) who is unconscious or where the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring; (4) where the person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance; (5) who suffers from a mental disability which renders him or her incapable of consent; or (6) (Deleted by amendment). (7) who is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and person are not married to each other.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 680 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Walls (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2007, 592 Pa. 557)“…ercourse (IDSI) with a victim less than thirteen years old, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3123(a)(6); and one count of incest. 18 Pa.C…”
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017, 164 A.3d 1189)“…[J-121B-2016] - 24 (4) 18 Pa.C.S. §3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual…”
- Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Wolfe, M. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2016)“…nt and person are not married to each other.” 18 Pa.C.S. § 3123(a)(7). Based upon this conviction,…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3125Aggravated indecent assaultIn force
(a) Offenses defined.--Except as provided in sections 3121 (relating to rape), 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual assault), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) and 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault), a person who engages in penetration, however slight, of the genitals or anus of a complainant with a part of the person's body for any purpose other than good faith medical, hygienic or law enforcement procedures commits aggravated indecent assault if: (1) the person does so without the complainant's consent; (2) the person does so by forcible compulsion; (3) the person does so by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution; (4) the complainant is unconscious or the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the penetration is occurring; (5) the person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance; (6) the complainant suffers from a mental disability which renders him or her incapable of consent; (7)…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
§ 3126Indecent assaultIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of indecent assault if the person has indecent contact with the complainant, causes the complainant to have indecent contact with the person or intentionally causes the complainant to come into contact with seminal fluid, urine or feces for the purpose of arousing sexual desire in the person or the complainant and: (1) the person does so without the complainant's consent; (2) the person does so by forcible compulsion; (3) the person does so by threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution; (4) the complainant is unconscious or the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the indecent contact is occurring; (5) the person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance; (6) the complainant suffers from a mental disability which renders the complainant incapable of consent; (7) the complainant is less than 13 years of age; or (8) the complainant is less than 16 years of age and the…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 870 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017)“…munities, shall be passed.” PA. CONST., art. I, §17. 2 See 18 Pa.C.S. §§3126(a)(1) (person is guilty of indecent ass…”
- Commonwealth v. Leatherby (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2015, 2015 Pa. Super. 90)“…Pa.C.S. § 4304(a). . 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1). . 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(7). . Among the policy conside…”
- Commonwealth v. Meals (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2006, 590 Pa. 110)“…74, No. 18 (as amended), 42 Pa.C.S. § 9791 et seq. [2] 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(1), (4) and (8). [3] 18 Pa.C.S. §…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 6301Corruption of minorsIn force
(a) Offense defined.-- (1) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), whoever, being of the age of 18 years and upwards, by any act corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of any minor less than 18 years of age, or who aids, abets, entices or encourages any such minor in the commission of any crime, or who knowingly assists or encourages such minor in violating his or her parole or any order of court, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ii) Whoever, being of the age of 18 years and upwards, by any course of conduct in violation of Chapter 31 (relating to sexual offenses) corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of any minor less than 18 years of age, or who aids, abets, entices or encourages any such minor in the commission of an offense under Chapter 31 commits a felony of the third degree. (2) Any person who knowingly aids, abets, entices or encourages a minor younger than 18 years of age to commit truancy commits a summary offense. Any person who violates this paragraph within one year of the date of a first conviction under this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
§ 3121RapeIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits a felony of the first degree when the person engages in sexual intercourse with a complainant: (1) By forcible compulsion. (2) By threat of forcible compulsion that would prevent resistance by a person of reasonable resolution. (3) Who is unconscious or where the person knows that the complainant is unaware that the sexual intercourse is occurring. (4) Where the person has substantially impaired the complainant's power to appraise or control his or her conduct by administering or employing, without the knowledge of the complainant, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance. (5) Who suffers from a mental disability which renders the complainant incapable of consent. (6) (Deleted by amendment).
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 932 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Walls (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2007, 592 Pa. 557)“…one count of rape of a victim less than thirteen years old, 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121(6); one count of involuntary deviate se…”
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017, 164 A.3d 1189)“…Id. at 979, citing Smith, 538 U.S. at 105. 11 18 Pa.C.S. §§3121, 3123.…”
- Commonwealth v. Rhodes (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1986, 510 Pa. 537)“…y rape and not because it was a forcible rape as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121. 332 Pa.Super. at 278 , 481 A.2d…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 3124.3Sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit associationIn force
(a) Sports official.--Except as provided in sections 3121 (relating to rape), 3122.1 (relating to statutory sexual assault), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse), 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault) and 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault), a person who serves as a sports official in a sports program of a nonprofit association or a for-profit association commits a felony of the third degree when that person engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a child under 18 years of age who is participating in a sports program of the nonprofit association or for-profit association. (b) Volunteer or employee of nonprofit association.--Except as provided in sections 3121, 3122.1, 3123, 3124.1 and 3125, a volunteer or an employee of a nonprofit association having direct contact with a child under 18 years of age who participates in a program or activity of the nonprofit association commits a felony of the third degree if the volunteer or employee engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with that child.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
§ 6312Sexual abuse of childrenIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
(a) Definition.--(Deleted by amendment). (b) Photographing, videotaping, depicting on computer or filming sexual acts.-- (1) Any person who causes or knowingly permits a child under the age of 18 years to engage in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such act commits an offense if such person knows, has reason to know or intends that such act may be photographed, videotaped, depicted on computer or filmed. (2) Any person who knowingly photographs, videotapes, depicts on computer or films a child under the age of 18 years engaging in a prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of such an act commits an offense. (c) Dissemination of photographs, videotapes, computer depictions and films.--Any person who knowingly sells, distributes, delivers, disseminates, transfers, displays or exhibits to others, or who possesses for the purpose of sale, distribution, delivery, dissemination, transfer, display or exhibition to others, any child sexual abuse material or artificially generated child sexual abuse material commits an offense.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 252 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017, 164 A.3d 1189)“…Pa.C.S. §6301(a)(1)(ii) (relating to corruption of minors); 18 Pa.C.S. §6312(d) (relating to sexual abuse of childre…”
- Commonwealth v. Baker (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2011, 2011 Pa. Super. 131)“…2001. He entered into a negotiated guilty plea to violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312(d)(1), and was sentenced to 60 months i…”
- A.S. v. Pennsylvania State Police (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2016, 636 Pa. 403)“…2) (emphasis added), and “second or subsequent offense,” in 18 Pa.C.S. § 6312(d)(2) (emphasis added) — implies a requ…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Pennsylvania Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026), Pennsylvania Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties, Pennsylvania AI Laws and Regulation (2026)
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure)
§ 9718Sentences for offenses against infant personsIn force
(a) Mandatory sentence.-- (1) A person convicted of the following offenses when the victim is less than 16 years of age shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment as follows: 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(1) and (4) (relating to aggravated assault) - not less than two years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121(a)(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) (relating to rape) - not less than ten years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) - not less than ten years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3125(a)(1) through (6) (relating to aggravated indecent assault) - not less than five years. (2) A person convicted of the following offenses when the victim is less than 13 years of age shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment as follows: 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(c) (relating to murder) - not less than 15 years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 2702(a)(1) - not less than five years. (3) A person convicted of the following offenses shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of imprisonment as follows: 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121(c) and (d) - not less than ten years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3125(a)(7) - not less than five years. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3125(b) - not less than ten years.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 220 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Newman (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2014, 2014 Pa. Super. 178)“…42 Pa.C.S. § 9712.1(c); 42 Pa.C.S. § 9713(c); 42 Pa.C.S. § 9718(c); 42 Pa.C.S. § 9719(b); 18 Pa.C.S.…”
- Commonwealth v. Sandusky (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2019, 203 A.3d 1033)“…In Wolfe, our Supreme Court, relying on Alleyne, held that 42 Pa.C.S. § 9718(a) “is irremediably unconstitutional on…”
- Commonwealth v. Wolfe (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2014, 106 A.3d 800)“…oof provisions running afoul of that decision. For example, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9718 applies mandatory sentences based on th…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9799.14Sexual offenses and tier systemIn forcecited in 5 of our articles
(a) Tier system established.--Sexual offenses shall be classified in a three-tiered system composed of Tier I sexual offenses, Tier II sexual offenses and Tier III sexual offenses. (b) Tier I sexual offenses.--The following offenses, or an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit any of the following offenses, shall be classified as Tier I sexual offenses: (1) 18 Pa.C.S. § 2902(b) (relating to unlawful restraint). (2) 18 Pa.C.S. § 2903(b) (relating to false imprisonment). (3) 18 Pa.C.S. § 2904 (relating to interference with custody of children), except in cases where the defendant is the child's parent, guardian or other lawful custodian. (4) 18 Pa.C.S. § 2910 (relating to luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure). (4.1) 18 Pa.C.S. § 3011(a)(1) and (2) (relating to trafficking in individuals). (4.2) 18 Pa.C.S. § 3013 (relating to patronizing a victim of sexual servitude). (5) 18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.2(a) and (a.4)(1) (relating to institutional sexual assault). (6) 18 Pa.C.S. § 3126(a)(1) (relating to indecent assault). (7) (Reserved). (8) 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1)(ii) (relating to corruption of minors). (9) 18 Pa.C.S.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cross-referenced in the statute itself: § 3122.1
Cited in 299 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017, 164 A.3d 1189)“…s “sexual offenses and tier system” provisions set forth at 42 Pa.C.S. §9799.14: 1) Does applying [42 Pa.C.S. §…”
- Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Shower, W. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2016, 637 Pa. 208)“…3126(a)(7), which SORNA classifies as a Tier III offense. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(d)(8). Tier III offenses require a life…”
- Commonwealth v. Strafford (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2018, 194 A.3d 168)“…and required lifetime registration as a sexual offender. 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.14(d);…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Pennsylvania Expungement Laws: Clean Slate, Sealing, and Eligibility (2026), Pennsylvania Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Penalties and Protections (2026)
§ 9799.15Period of registrationIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
(a) Period of registration.--Subject to subsection (c), an individual specified in section 9799.13 (relating to applicability) shall register with the Pennsylvania State Police as follows: (1) An individual convicted of a Tier I sexual offense, except an offense set forth in section 9799.14(b)(23) (relating to sexual offenses and tier system), shall register for a period of 15 years. (2) An individual convicted of a Tier II sexual offense shall register for a period of 25 years. (3) An individual convicted of a Tier III sexual offense shall register for the life of the individual. (4) A juvenile offender who was adjudicated delinquent in this Commonwealth, or who was adjudicated delinquent in another jurisdiction or foreign country as a consequence of having committed an offense similar to an offense which would require the individual to register if the offense was committed in this Commonwealth, shall register for the life of the individual.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 203 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Commonwealth v. Muniz, J., Aplt. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2017)“…erson at an approved registration site, annually. 42 Pa.C.S. §9799.15(a)(1), (e)(1).16 Those convicted of Tie…”
- In the Interest of J.B. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2014, 630 Pa. 408)“…he Juveniles became subject to lifetime registration' under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.15(a)(4), see infra at 5-6. The Juvenile…”
- Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Shower, W. (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 2016, 637 Pa. 208)“…s obligate an offender to register for his or her lifetime, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.15(a)(1), (2), and (3), respectively. Re…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9799.17Termination of period of registration for juvenile offendersIn force
(a) Juvenile offender.--An individual who is a juvenile offender, with the exception of a juvenile offender whose period of registration is determined by section 9799.15(a)(4.1) (relating to period of registration), shall have the requirement to register terminated if all of the following apply: (1) At least 25 years have elapsed since the individual was: (i) adjudicated delinquent for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would be classified as an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 (relating to rape), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse) or 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault) or an attempt, solicitation or conspiracy to commit an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121, 3123 or 3125, excluding time spent under the supervision of the court, including commitment to an institution or facility set forth in section 6352(a)(3) (relating to deposition of delinquent child); or (ii) adjudicated delinquent for an offense in another jurisdiction or foreign country which is similar to that which if committed by an adult in this Commonwealth would be classified as an offense under 18 Pa.C.S.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at palegis.us
Cited in 3 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2018
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- V.S. v. DPW (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania 2015)“…Registry of Sexual Offenders pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.17 (relating to termination of…”
- Com. v. Trusty, G. (Superior Court of Pennsylvania 2018)“…8- J-S26030-18 was convicted. See 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.17(d) (designating IDSI and aggravated in…”
- G.S. Person v. PSP Megan's Law Section (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania 2015)“…mpleted an approved treatment program for sexual offenders. 42 Pa. C.S. § 9799.17(a).…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Explore the law
The laws cited above reference these related sections in their own text:
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) § 3124.1 — Sexual assault view in our statute record · read at the official source
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) § 9799.55 — Registration view in our statute record · read at the official source
Related law for further reading — not part of this article’s citations.
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Sources and References
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3121 (Rape)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3122.1 (Statutory sexual assault)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3123 (Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3124.2 (Institutional sexual assault)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3124.3 (Sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3125 (Aggravated indecent assault)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3126 (Indecent assault)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3127 (Indecent exposure)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 4302 (Incest)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 4304 (Endangering welfare of children)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 6301 (Corruption of minors)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 6312 (Sexual abuse of children)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 6318 (Unlawful contact with minor)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 6320 (Sexual exploitation of children)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 5903 (Obscene and other sexual materials and performances)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3011 (Trafficking in individuals)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3013 (Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3027 (Promoting prostitution)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 3028 (Patronizing prostitution)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 1103 (Sentence of imprisonment for felony)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 1104 (Sentence of imprisonment for misdemeanors)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 42 Pa.C.S. 9718 (Sentences for offenses against infant persons)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.14 (Sexual offenses and tier system)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.15 (Period of registration)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- 42 Pa.C.S. 9799.17 (Termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders)(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Report child abuse or neglect(www.pa.gov).gov
- Section 3133(www.legis.state.pa.us).gov