Washington
Sex Laws 2026

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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