North Dakota
Sex Laws 2026

North Dakota's age of consent is 18. North Dakota does not have a close-in-age exemption in its primary sexual assault statutes. North Dakota Century Code Section 12.1-20-03 covers gross sexual imposition. The combination of an age-18 consent threshold and no close-in-age exemption is among the most restrictive frameworks in the country for young couples.

North Dakota has no statewide sex education mandate. When districts offer sex ed, the content tends to be abstinence-only, reflecting the state's strongly conservative political environment. There is no requirement for medical accuracy, no LGBTQ+ inclusion mandate, and no consent education standard.

North Dakota's adult entertainment environment is restrictive. Fargo and Bismarck have adult entertainment businesses regulated through local ordinances, but the regulatory posture is conservative. The state's small population and strong social conservative political culture have kept adult entertainment regulation tight.

Age 18. No mandate. Conservative approach.

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