Idaho
Sex Laws 2026

The age of consent in Idaho is 18 as of May 2026, the same as in 10 other states. Idaho does not require schools to teach sex education; 28 states do. Districts that offer it follow abstinence-only guidelines. Adult entertainment regulation is restrictive, and the state scores 0/100 on this page's sex-ed progressiveness scale.

Idaho's age of consent is 18. There is no close-in-age exemption in Idaho law. Sexual activity with a person under 18 is a felony regardless of the age of the defendant, under Idaho Code Section 18-1508. The absence of an exemption is a notable feature of Idaho law that affects young couples in their late teens.

Idaho has no statewide sex education mandate. When districts choose to offer it, instruction is expected to be abstinence-focused. There is no requirement for medical accuracy, no LGBTQ+ inclusion requirement, and no consent education mandate. The state's strong social conservative influence means that most districts offering sex ed do so within a narrow, abstinence-only framework. Many districts opt out of offering sex ed entirely.

Idaho's adult entertainment environment is restrictive. Adult businesses are subject to aggressive local zoning in most jurisdictions. Cities like Boise have enacted ordinances limiting where and how adult businesses can operate. Idaho has been among the states pursuing legislation targeting online adult content, including age verification requirements.

Age 18. No sex ed mandate — very conservative. Abstinence-only when offered. Strong social conservative influence.

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More on Idaho

Also on Idaho: the full Idaho profile covers taxes, cost of living, crime and schools, and the county map lets you compare every county in the state. For related rules, read the Idaho nudism guide and the Idaho gambling laws guide.