Iowa
Sex Laws 2026

The age of consent in Iowa is 16 as of May 2026, the same as in 29 other states. Iowa requires schools to teach sex education, one of 28 states that do, and the mandated approach is abstinence-plus, with no medical-accuracy requirement and no LGBTQ+ inclusion requirement. Adult entertainment regulation is moderate, and the state scores 40/100 on this page's sex-ed progressiveness scale.

Iowa's age of consent is 16. State law includes a close-in-age exemption: sexual activity between a minor who is at least 13 and a partner no more than five years older falls under reduced criminal classification. Iowa Code Section 709.4 governs sexual abuse in the third degree.

Sex education is required in Iowa schools. Instruction must encourage abstinence, though contraception and STI prevention may be discussed. There is no requirement for medical accuracy in a comprehensive sense, no LGBTQ+ inclusion mandate, and no requirement to teach consent. The framework is abstinence-plus in that some reproductive health content is permitted, but the educational emphasis remains on abstinence as the preferred choice for minors.

Iowa's adult entertainment environment is moderate. Des Moines and other urban areas have adult entertainment businesses regulated through local ordinances. The state has not pursued aggressive anti-adult-entertainment legislation. The overall posture is mid-tier restrictive, with standard licensing and zoning controls.

Sex ed required. Abstinence encouraged but contraception may be discussed.

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More on Iowa

Also on Iowa: the full Iowa 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 Iowa nudism guide and the Iowa gambling laws guide.