Vermont
Sex Laws 2026

The age of consent in Vermont is 16 as of May 2026, the same as in 29 other states. Vermont requires schools to teach sex education, one of 28 states that do, and the mandated approach is comprehensive, with a medical-accuracy requirement and LGBTQ+ inclusive content. Adult entertainment regulation is liberal, and the state scores 100/100 on this page's sex-ed progressiveness scale.

Vermont's age of consent is 16. There is a close-in-age exemption: sexual activity with a minor aged 15 to 17 is not a crime if the defendant is less than three years older, under Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 13, Section 3252.

Vermont requires comprehensive sex education that is medically accurate, inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities and relationships, and includes consent education. The state's mandate is among the most progressive in the country. Vermont has consistently been a leader in inclusive and comprehensive sex education policy, and its curriculum standards reflect a commitment to medically grounded, non-stigmatizing instruction.

Vermont's adult entertainment environment is permissive. Burlington and other urban areas have adult businesses operating under local licensing without aggressive state-level restrictions. Vermont's progressive political culture and strong individual rights tradition create an environment resistant to restrictive adult entertainment legislation. The state was the first to legalize same-sex civil unions in 2000, and this posture toward personal freedoms extends to adult entertainment regulation generally.

Vermont is among the most progressive states. Comprehensive, medically accurate, LGBTQ+ inclusive sex ed required.

Similar States

More on Vermont

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