Washington
Sex Laws 2026

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

Washington's age of consent is 16. There is a close-in-age exemption under Washington Revised Code Section 9A.44.096: sexual activity with a 14- or 15-year-old is a gross misdemeanor rather than a felony if the defendant is less than five years older.

Washington requires comprehensive sex education that is medically accurate, inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities and relationships, and includes consent education. The mandate is one of the stronger ones in the West. Washington updated its sex education requirements in 2020 with HB 2184, which strengthened LGBTQ+ inclusion, consent education, and medical accuracy requirements across all grade levels. Women's toplessness was legalized in Washington in 2022 when a federal court struck down Seattle's ordinance banning it.

Washington's adult entertainment environment is permissive. Seattle has an established adult entertainment industry, and the state regulates adult businesses through local licensing without aggressive state-level restriction campaigns. The overall posture is permissive and consistent with the state's progressive political composition.

Washington has strong comprehensive sex ed mandate. LGBTQ+ inclusive required. Women's toplessness was legalized 2022.

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