Missouri
Sex Laws 2026

The age of consent in Missouri is 17 as of May 2026, the same as in 8 other states. Missouri 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.

Missouri's age of consent is 17. There is a close-in-age exemption: sexual activity with a 14-, 15-, or 16-year-old is a lesser offense if the defendant is less than four years older, under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 566.034. The exemption reduces exposure from felony to misdemeanor in qualifying circumstances.

Missouri has no statewide sex education mandate. When districts choose to offer sex ed, they must use an abstinence-only approach. Positive portrayals of homosexuality or bisexuality are not permitted in sex education under state statute. There is no requirement for medical accuracy, no LGBTQ+ inclusion, and no consent education component. Many Missouri districts offer no sex education at all.

Missouri's adult entertainment environment is restrictive. Kansas City and St. Louis have adult entertainment industries, but the state's regulatory posture has historically supported restriction. Missouri has used licensing, zoning, and local option laws to limit adult businesses in many jurisdictions. The state's sodomy law was ruled unenforceable by Lawrence v. Texas (2003) but was not formally repealed until 2006.

No mandate. When offered, abstinence-only. Cannot include LGBTQ+ discussion.

Similar States

More on Missouri

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