Michigan
Sex Laws 2026

The age of consent in Michigan is 16 as of May 2026, the same as in 29 other states. Michigan 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.

Michigan's age of consent is 16. There is a close-in-age exemption: sexual activity with a 13-, 14-, or 15-year-old is not a felony if the defendant is less than five years older, under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 750.520d. This provision is sometimes called a "Romeo and Juliet" exemption.

Sex education is required in Michigan schools. The law requires that abstinence be presented as the preferred choice for unmarried students. Contraception may be discussed but the abstinence message must be included and not undercut. There is no requirement for medical accuracy in the comprehensive sense, and there is no mandate for LGBTQ+ inclusion or consent education. The framework is abstinence-plus in structure.

Michigan's adult entertainment environment is moderate. Detroit and Grand Rapids have adult entertainment businesses regulated through local licensing. The state has not pursued aggressive restriction campaigns, though specific localities have used zoning to limit where adult businesses operate. The overall regulatory posture is mid-tier, similar to most Midwestern states.

Sex ed required. Abstinence as preferred choice but contraception discussed. No medically accurate requirement.

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More on Michigan

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